Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz told Variety the Chinese investors from Jiangsu and two American businessmen — also acting as their advisers — are planning to build a recycling facility for decommissioned ships, “big ships that they don’t need anymore, bring them to Tinian, chop them all up and bring them to China.”
The Tinian mayor said Universal Shipbuilding (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd. in Jiangsu, China is teaming up with Bronce Henderson, manager, DATAM Manufacturing LLC based in Naples, Florida and Ret. Rear Adm. Christopher E. Weaver of Maritime Security Strategies.
Weaver is a member of the Navy and International Business divisions of SPECTRUM, an alliance of individuals from diverse military, political and professional background offering a plethora of services.
The mayor said the U.S. investors have one recycling plant in California and one in Florida.
Based on the brochures of the investors, the mayor said they recycle steel, aluminum and copper parts of the ships.
The investors, the mayor added, visited Guam and spoke with Gov. Eddie B. Calvo who told them that because of the impending buildup, the harbor would be congested.
This led them to consider Tinian.
“They will build a recycling facility on Tinian, accept decommissioned ships, and bring ships from all throughout Asia, the United States and other parts of the world,” the mayor said.
Asked how much in investments are the Chinese and American investors planning to infuse into the local economy, Dela Cruz said it wasn’t divulged but the magnitude of the investment — based on the proposal — would create a big industry.
The investors were proposing, in the initial operations, to hire at least 125 employees — local employees. And then eventually they said they are going to be hiring another 125 up to 300 people, the mayor said.
“I told them that recycling business is not what we’re after. We are looking at short-type of development that is not negative to the environment,” he said.
The mayor said he expressed his concern for the environment given the oil and other chemicals that go with the ships. He said he informed the investors of his concern that any oil spill in the area would be detrimental to Tinian and the environment.
He said the investors assured him that they are aware of federal requirements and guidelines as they have companies operating on the mainland United States.
“These guys are saying they have companies in the United States and they are aware of the federal requirements,” the mayor said.
Asked when they intend to start the project, the mayor said the investors are looking at operating in six months.
“We are kind of excited,” he said.
The investors also asked what the mayor and the people would feel about the recycling business. The mayor said, “My biggest concern is the environment. I want to make sure we have enough protection, to make sure they don’t destroy the environment.” Asked if he would offer the Goat Island to the investors, he said Goat Island does not have a protected harbor. He said the investors require a harbor where they can bring in ships.
“It is going to be a big facility!” he said.
Dela Cruz said he hopes to bring some kind of development to Tinian.
“We have to try and think outside the box. I cannot depend on Saipan. We have to start doing something,” he said.
He also told the Variety that his office is planning on putting up a website where he could post RFP’s for investors who are willing to invest on Tinian.
He said, for example, he could offer the island of Aguiguan or Goat Island for some other kind of investment.
The island of Aguiguan was used by Japan during the pre-war period for its sugar industry where it built structures to make transferring of sugar to the ships possible.
He said investors can use the island for a world-class private resort and lease could fetch up to $20 million.
He said through the website he is planning to put up, he could reach out to more investors who can bring in the development that Tinian needs.
