Primary Group Commits ₱1B Investment to Build Bohol’s Largest Shipyard
Copywritten by Samantha Marie Y. Jerez
Based on a report by Katlene O. Cacho-Laurejas of Sunstar, published November 29, 2023
BUENAVISTA, BOHOL — A major milestone in the province’s maritime and economic development unfolds as Cebu-based Primary Group of Builders (PGB) pours over ₱1 billion into its first-ever shipyard facility in Bohol, under its marine construction arm, Artemis Marine and Industrial Construction, Inc. (AMICI).
Located in Barangay Cruz, Buenavista, the AMICI Marine Shipyard spans 19 hectares, making it the largest shipyard in the Visayas and Mindanao. Designed to offer ship repair and dry-docking services, the facility is already a game-changer for the host town, traditionally dependent on agriculture and fishing. Since its development, it has employed more than 300 workers, 80 percent of whom are from Buenavista itself.
“We don’t only build shipyards, we build careers, we build lives,” said William Christopher Liu Jr., chief executive officer of PGB, during the shipyard’s launching on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.
AMICI Marine Shipyard was established in 2018, with development beginning in 2019. The facility features advanced capabilities, allowing it to service 12 vessels of up to 100 meters in length at any given time. It also has provisions for a sideward railway extension, which will expand its capacity to accommodate up to 20 ships. Its comprehensive services cover dry-docking and afloat repair, hull preservation including blasting and painting, ship conversion, and structural fabrication. It also manages the maintenance of ship systems such as electrical, piping, propulsion, hydraulic, gearbox, and engines—ensuring a full-service approach to ship care and enhancement.
In September 2022, the shipyard secured its Class B shipbuilding and ship repair license from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Since then, AMICI has serviced 40 vessels through dry-docking, further solidifying its capabilities in the regional maritime sector.
Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado lauded PGB’s investment in the province, calling the shipyard a “welcome development” that could open Buenavista and nearby municipalities to more investment opportunities. “Amici Marine Shipyard is a game changer… Since PGB is already here, the shipyard will be the gateway to inspire more investors to come here,” said Aumentado. He encouraged more Cebuano investors to consider Bohol as a viable location for new business and infrastructure development.
To support long-term operations and address the shortage of skilled labor in the maritime industry, PGB has expanded its technical-vocational school, the School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service (SKILLS), in Bohol. The institution is dedicated to training local workers and aligning their skill sets with the demands of modern shipbuilding and repair.
PGB noted that “technologies in the shipbuilding and repair industry are also evolving, requiring workers and shipyards to adapt and innovate continuously.” It is through investments like AMICI that the group not only responds to industry shifts but proactively builds the workforce needed to sustain them.
With over 70 years of proven track record, Primary Group of Builders continues to grow its footprint across various industries, including construction and manufacturing, real estate, shipping and logistics, health and lifestyle, and human capital development. The group’s presence in Bohol began in 2011 through its residential arm, Primary Homes Inc., and the operation of a batching plant by its construction and manufacturing division.
As AMICI gains momentum, PGB’s vision is clear: to build infrastructure that empowers communities, supports industry, and ensures long-term economic growth for Bohol and the nation.
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News Article Link: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/primary-group-invests-p1b-for-bohol-shipyard