Norwegian shipbuilder Havyard Group is to reopen its shipyard from Monday after 91 staff members tested positive for coronavirus.
The plant in Leirvik has been shut since 2 October following an outbreak of Covid-19 there.
This initially affected 17 workers, but by 9 October there had been 75 positive results.
But there have been no new infections since 12 October, prompting the local health authority to grant permission for a reopening.
The Saevik family-owned yard subsidiary New Havyard Ship Technology has tested 495 people.
"For the vessels that are being outfitted at the yard it is foreseeable that the closure will lead to delay in deliveries," the company said.
The yard is now working on "mapping" the consequences of the shutdown, and the measures that can be implemented to make up for the lost production time.
Five ships on order
The shipbuilder is constructing a platform supply vessel for Atlantic Towing, a car and passenger ferry for another Saevik company — Fjord1 — and three accommodation vessels for Esvagt.
The first of the floatels is due this month, according to Clarksons.
The group fully financed the remaining five ships in its orderbook in a deal with banks and shipowners in May.
The move came as subsidiary Havyard Ship Technology is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings after being unable to pay creditors.
Havyard Ship Technology's shipbuilding business has been transferred to the new subsidiary, New Havyard Ship Technology.
