Israel’s first floating drydock, the most modern built in Europe in the past few years, was lowered into the waters of the Baltic Sea today as representatives of the Israel Purchasing Mission and German ship builders watched.
The drydock, part of Germany’s reparations payment to Israel, is 520 feet long, 100 feet wide and has a lifting capacity of 7,500 tons. It is the first maritime vessel to be completed in Germany under the terms of the reparations pact.
After being subjected to deep sea tests and tryouts in this vicinity for several weeks, the dock will be towed to Haifa by two Dutch tugs. The voyage is expected to take until the Fall. The drydock will be accompanied by three Israeli technicians who have spent the past several months studying drydock operations in Germany.
With the aid of this sea-going installation Israel will effect a considerable saving of foreign currency by being able to repair her own and other vessels in a home port. Some 300 workers are expected to be employed in such repair activities at Haifa.
Meanwhile, the first freighter to be delivered as reparations is nearing completion in Hamburg. The 7,500-ton vessel, which will have cabins for 12 passengers as well as cargo holds, will be launched within a month.
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