Inside Lisnave: A conversation with Luís Braga and Claudia Spranger
Could you briefly introduce Lisnave?
Lisnave is one of Europe’s leading ship maintenance and repair yards, proudly located in Portugal.
The company’s origins date back to 1937, when a national group assumed the concession of a shipyard on the north bank of the Tagus estuary, in Lisbon. In September 1961, Lisnave expanded to the south bank of the Tagus with new facilities designed to accommodate the world’s largest vessels being built at that time.
Responding to the growing demand for ship repair and construction, a new shipyard was established in Setúbal in 1973. At the end of 2000, following a comprehensive restructuring plan and the modernization of the Setúbal facilities, which included the construction of three additional Panamax-size drydocks (the Hydrolift), all operations were consolidated in Setúbal.
Today, Lisnave operates a state-of-the-art ship repair complex with six drydocks and is internationally recognized as a reference in the industry. With a strategic location, a reputation for quality, and a proven track record of meeting repair deadlines, Lisnave upholds its mission to deliver reliable, high-standard maintenance and repair solutions to the global merchant fleet, ensuring vessels return to service safely, efficiently, and on schedule. The loyalty of its clients is best demonstrated by the long-term partnerships established with worldwide shipowners who continue to place their trust in Lisnave year after year.
What are the main challenges a shipyard such as Lisnave is currently facing, particularly in the context of the environmental transition?
This global market with its different consciousness and level of compliance, where Europe wants to make a stand, represents a huge challenge for all European industries. Circular economy is the only way it is no longer possible to maintain the use of resources to sustain a linear economy.
It is also an utmost point, the evolution of cleaner technologies regarding surface treatment and turn them commercially available.
It is our goal to use the environment as a leverage for another way of making business, but we know this won’t be plain sailing.
How is Lisnave preparing to support its shipowner clients throughout this transition?
For the past years Lisnave has already been equipping vessels with new technologies, towards a more efficient and cleaner maritime transport. As an example, ballast water treatment systems, scrubbers and more sustainable fuels.
The role of port infrastructures and shipyards is often less visible in the public debate compared to that of the vessels themselves. In your opinion, what strategic role should shipyards play in the sector’s environmental transition?
While shipyards may not always be in the spotlight compared to the vessels themselves, their role in the maritime industry’s environmental transition is strategic and indispensable. Beyond ensuring compliance with environmental standards during a vessel’s stay, through measures such as shore power connections, advanced wastewater and ballast water treatment, and modern waste reception facilities with circular solutions, shipyards are also key to reducing emissions and promoting sustainability at the operational level.
Equally important, repair and maintenance yards are vital to guaranteeing the long-term efficiency of vessels. By performing essential maintenance, implementing upgrades, and extending the service life of ships, shipyards help reduce environmental impact while also delivering tangible cost savings for shipowners and operators.
At Lisnave, we take pride in having successfully delivered some of the most demanding projects in the industry, including energy-saving retrofits such as propeller duct installations, bulbous bow replacements, and the integration of Cold Ironing systems. These initiatives clearly demonstrate how shipyards can actively contribute to the sector’s decarbonization journey and a more sustainable future for shipping.
Lisnave has joined the Green Marine Europe program as a participant. What motivated this decision and what does it represent for your company?
The Green Marine Europe program emerged when Lisnave realized it had an important and prominent role to play in environmental practices, setting an example on several levels.
How does participating in the Green Marine Europe certification process help you monitor and reduce environmental impact? What key messages would you like to convey to your peers in the maritime industry during the Green Shipping Industry Day?
Green Marine Europe certification prepares you for the next level, not just to improve your environmental KPI, but to help you meet your client’s needs and expectations regarding its sustainable performance.
Finally, if you could share one vision or wish for the future of the maritime sector in light of environmental challenges, what would it be?
Considering Earth sustainability in all its strands, social, environmental and governance, all industry must slow down. Degrowth is the only way to respect nature rhythm of regeneration. In a less drastic approach, or more realistic, as you wish, cleaner and most efficient technologies must raise to produce the same with less environmental impact.