Full Steam Ahead. Vectis Eagle. New Game GREEN MACHINE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY STANDARD HOPPERS. SBI 2012 volume 6 ISSue 1

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1 THE INDEPENDENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPBUILDING, SHIP REPAIR AND MARINE SUPPLY INDUSTRY SBI 2012 volume 6 ISSue 1 Vectis Eagle GREEN MACHINE Full Steam Ahead WASTE HEAT RECOVERY New Game STANDARD HOPPERS

2 SHIP REFIT, REPAIR & CONVERSION Gibdock Grows Gibdock s growing reputation as one of the leading cruise ship repair and refurbishment centres in the Mediterranean has been enhanced by the docking of the 42,255GT, 1992-built Pullmantur Zenith. The vessel arrived in Gibraltar on 7 November last year for work that had to be completed within tight time constraints and left on schedule on 20 November 2011, en route to Brazil for its next cruise itinerary. 10 ShipBuilding Industry Volume 6 Issue 1

3 Other recent cruise ship visitors to Gibdock have included the Thompson Destiny, owned by Louis Cruises, which also docked in November. This was the third time the owner has docked the vessel in Gibraltar, on this occasion for relative routine docking and repair work. Gibdock chief executive, Joe Corvelli says: We are targeting the cruise ship market in a big way, and contracts for major players like Saga, Louis Cruises, Columbia and Pullmantur show we are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. Our location makes us an ideal choice for operators cruising in the Mediterranean in particular and we have been able to demonstrate an ability to complete demanding work programmes within fairly tight time limits, which is vital for cruise operators, who need to know they can get to their next port of call on time to pick up passengers. Into the Breach Facilities at Gibdock include three drydocks, the largest of which measures 272 x 38 x 10 m, and two repair quays. As a result the company can handle the majority of cruise vessels operating in the region. Gibdock s ability to handle complex structural repair work on large cruise ships was also demonstrated towards the end of 2010 when it successfully completed demanding back-toback repairs on two Pullmantur vessels, Empress and Sovereign. Both projects required significant amounts of steel renewal as well as routine drydocking work. Gibdock is proving to be an increasingly important yard for the Mediterranean s cruise industry, commercial director Richard Beards points out. With cruise repair facilities in Barcelona closing down, we are showing that we are more than capable of stepping into the breach. Last year, cruise visitors to Gibdock included the 33,930GRT, 215m cruise vessel Thomson Celebration for first time customer, Cyprus-based Columbia Ship Management. The ship docked in March for an extensive package of works that included general drydocking and tailshaft overhauls, as well as the renewal of around 40 t of steel on one of its decks. Breakthrough Confirming their fast-rising status, Gibraltar-based Gibdock completed a drydocking contract for UK-based Saga Holidays in May The niche cruise operator docked the 9,570GT, 139m Spirit of Adventure for a 10-day programme of works, including steel repairs to the bulbous bow and a comprehensive external clean and repaint. At the time, Richard Beards commented: This is another important breakthrough for the yard as it is the first time we have had the opportunity to work for Saga, which has in the past used other yards in the region. The project was completed on time and within budget, and we are hopeful that we can build further on this initial collaboration through additional projects with Saga in the future. The 350-passenger capacity Spirit of Adventure was originally built by HDW in Germany as Berlin in 1980 and was acquired by Saga in 2005 for its Spirit of Adventure Cruises brand. The vessel, home ported in Dover, offers cruises to a wide range of destinations, including the UK, Scandinavia, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australasia, as well as the Mediterranean. > ShipBuilding Industry Volume 6 Issue 1 11

4 Holes Gibdock was tasked with renewing the rudderneck bushes, which required the drilling of two holes in the bottom floor of the drydock so that the Pullmantur Zenith s two rudders could be lowered to get them out. Not many yards would go to such lengths, says Richard Beards. But it shows our flexibility and willingness to do whatever is necessary to meet our customer s requirements. The scope of work also included renewing the four chillers onboard. To fit the new chillers the yard had to cut open both sides of the ship and renew almost all the associated PVC and non-pvc pipework. This had to be done to a tight timetable so that the chillers would be commissioned and ready for when the passengers came onboard. Time to Spare Furthermore, during a survey the tank top steel in two compartments was found to be corroded below the thickness levels set by Class and Gibdock handled the necessary steel renewal work. Work included opening access in the bottom to facilitate the renewal and strengthening of the tank top steel to the satisfaction of Class. Shortly before the arrival of the Pullmantur Zenith during tank cleaning for the survey the forepeak tank was found to have some old 12 ShipBuilding Industry Volume 6 Issue 1

5 SHIP REFIT, REPAIR & CONVERSION weather damage that was causing corrosion within the forepeak. The shipyard was notified and responded by renewing the corroded steel before the vessel was due to leave the dock. Gibdock also recoated the external hull of the cruise ship. While this was in many respects a routine operation, the yard had to contend with poor weather conditions, but completed the work with time to spare. Out of the Yard We were able to float off our blocks early and maintain our schedule without difficulty, says Jan Sandvik, Pullmantur Cruises technical director. The yard was flexible in adjusting its work pattern to follow our requirements in getting the ship out of the yard on time. Pullmantur s previous experience of using Gibdock, docking a number of vessels with the yard in recent years, played a part in the yard winning this latest project. Gibdock has proven that they are able to handle unplanned jobs in a timely manner and we were confident in the ability to deliver on time, says Jan Sandvik. Deviation time was also minimal. Vote of Confidence Commenting further on the yard s flexibility in dealing with situations during the docking, Jan Sandvik adds: I was impressed with their proactiveness in solving problems. The yard was open to the rapid changes sometimes needed when things were not going quite as predicted. They also took the time to understand what was needed and to prepare well. Gibdock says it looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with Pullmatur Cruises over the coming year. Pullmantur is a repeat customer and the docking of the Pullmantur Zenith is another vote of confidence in us, Richard Beards says. i. Carving a Niche extensive survey of the seabed alongside its wharves. Joe Corvelli, Gibdock says: We investigated the harbour bottom in the area of the main wharf to be able to understand the suitability of the ground for landing a jack-up rig. The conclusion was that the area is perfectly suitable for receiving jack-up spud cans and was soft enough that they would not be damaged, but hard enough that the weight would be supported and the structure safely moored. Armed with this technical appraisal and the showcase provided by the Etesco Millennium Gibdock s key strategic aim to carve a niche in the growing regional market for jack-up and semisubmersible drilling rig repairs, maintenance and modification work, has moved an important step closer. Following the arrival in October 2011 of the 22,604GT Etesco Millennium semi-submersible, built in 1976 by Marathon Le Tourneau and upgraded in 2006, steel repair work has been carried out afloat and tasks in the pipeline include tank cleaning and repair, and work to enable safe mooring. The contract is an important landmark for Gibdock, which has not handled a drilling rig since We believe that the successful completion of this project will lead to more work of this type, says Richard Beards. It is part of our future strategy to get into the semisubmersible and jackup rig sector and having the Etesco Millennium in Gibdock can only help us to achieve this target. Seabed Survey In another important initiative to support its rig market strategy, Gibdock has commissioned an contract, Gibdock is confident it is on the verge of an important breakthrough in this sector. The quality of our staff and our facilities make us extremely well suited to this kind of work, says Mr Corvelli. There is simply no better location to handle rig repair repairs and, with demand for rigs in West Africa, the Mediterranean and Black Sea getting stronger, we believe we are well placed to secure more rig business in the coming year. < ShipBuilding Industry Volume 6 Issue 1 13