Metz

CI has hitherto provided design, marketing and sales activities exclusively for about 10 'member shipyards' (shareholders), all located in the north of the Netherlands.

Changes in the European shipbuilding landscape, together with industry consolidation through takeovers, have brought a reduction in the number of shipyards in operation today. However, the newbuilding order intake has remained at a buoyant level, with more than 50 contracts logged for the north Netherlands in 2003 alone.

Due to the diminishing number of member shipyards, CI has implemented a change of business policy. Since the beginning of January 2004, the company has also started to work directly for shipowners and other maritime and logistic players, as well as for a limited number of other shipyards, both in the Netherlands and abroad.

To distinguish the latter from our shareholders, shipyards other than member firms for whom CI acts will in the future be defined as 'Associated Shipyards' of CI.

The move will expand the scope and market reach of the company beyond its well known offering and services in its main fields of multipurpose vessels, tankers, dredgers and fishing vessels. Thanks to the new connections with the 'Associated Shipyards', CI will f.i. also become active in the tug/supply ship and inland waterway vessel categories.

The extension of its business is already in evidence. Since the beginning of the year, Conoship International BV has started tot
design innovative multipurpose vessels for shipowners on a direct basis, without any shipyard involvement.

The design projects reflect the aims of proactive owners, looking to keep ahead of market demand and be in the vanguard of realizing new technical possibilities.

With the highly appreciated assistance of SNN (the body representing authorities and provinces of the north Netherlands)* and the European Commission, CI started developing several interesting projects three years ago in conjnnction with Dutch and other European partners.

The Technical University of Delft, the TNO Institute in Delft, and the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN) in Wageningen, have become regular research partners of CI, so strengthening the CI 'network'. In addition, close links have been forged with certain specialised companies abroad, with the aim of jointly developing promising and innovative products and logistical concepts for the future, in the most pragmatic and efficient manner.

As a result of its endeavours, CI considers that it excels more than ever before in the following areas:

a. In identifying new market trends and related, alternative logistical solutions;

b. In responding to such developments through the design of competitive, standardised vessels built according to a series construction philosophy.
CI is accordingly an ideal intermediary between, and partner of:
The transport and logistics industry and shipowners and charterers, on the one hand; and
The shipbuilding and marine equipment industry, on the other hand.

CONOSHIP INTERNATIONAL:
THE MATCHMAKER IN TODAY'S MARITIME WORLD.

www.conoship.com