GB Shipyard to cut over 70 jobs on Friday

Grand Bahama Shipyard is set to terminate over 70 employees on Friday morning.

A number of work permit holders are employed by the shipyard. However, it is unclear if any of them will be impacted by the job cuts.

Anxious employees are waiting to see if only Bahamian jobs are on the chopping block while foreigners will be spared.

In May, nearly 30 Shipyard employees got the axe due the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Terminated positions included electricians, waste managers, plant operators, senior brokerage officers, project co-ordinators, purchasing managers, and inventory and materials personnel.

Considered a leader in dry-docking and afloat repairs, refits and refurbishments on vessels, including those in the Cruise industry, the Shipyard has been negatively impacted by the crippling blow the coronavirus dealt to the cruise industry.

2019 was also a tough year for the Grand Bahama-based facility, which was shut down after a crane collapsed, damaging its main dry dock.