Floating factories

摘要

Strong demand for protective masks recently has given rise to unconventional modes of production and transport. An innovative Turkish enterprise purchased maritime vessels and refashioned them into factories. The move simultaneously also enables the firm to avoid the problem of rapidly rising cargo spot rates. The floating factories double as high sea freighters and serve important markets in the USA, where some west coast ports are currently experiencing high levels of import congestion. Turkey has a long tradition as an important textiles supplier. The Turkish trader A&S Investment Holding has reacted to the global business potential and acquired three ships for USD 88.9 million. The ro-ro units were converted into vessels suitable for the mass production of face masks in the Tuzla shipyard, east of Istanbul, which specialises in retrofitting ships.