Shiprepair & Maintenance: September 2018
Gibraltarian shipyard Gibdock has announced the successful completion of numerous works on board Zambesi, a 2013-built, 179m bulk carrier owned by John T. Essberger. The vessel spent one month in the yard – both in drydock and alongside – and was subject to an extensive programme including a ballast water treatment system retrofit, cosmetic repair work and propeller refitting.
Of the scope of work, the yard highlights the BWTS retrofit as being particularly complicated. To install the UV-type system, Gibdock technicians were required to modify sections of the owner-supplied, pre-fabricated pipework, due to clashes with existing pipework and equipment. Additional pipework also had to be fabricated on-site, as it was found to be required to install the system. Moreover, Gibdock went beyond the initial scope of works by conducting complete electrical installation of the system. UAE-based Aries Marine, a BWTS retrofit specialist, supervised and aided Gibdock throughout.
Gibdock shiprepair manager Juan Piñero said of the retrofit: “This was a complex retrofit, and our engineering staff and pipefitting team rose to the challenge magnificently […] With this project we have gained further valuable experience in ballast water treatment retrofits.”
Significant work was also completed along Zambesi’s drive train. This encompassed the removal and refitting of the propeller, removal of the tailshaft and intermediate shaft, and bonding of the seals, requiring “working a very narrow space,” according to Piñero. The main engines were also overhauled. Further equipment-related tasks included removal of the windlass, ultrasound cleaning of the air coolers, overhaul of the mooring winch and sea valves, and steel repairs in the ballast water tank area.
Cosmetic requirements for Zambesi saw Gibdock blast and paint an area of 2500m2 on the topside and underwater hull areas. Spot blasting was also performed on the coamings and upper hoppers in the cargo hold.
Following on from the Zambesi BWTS retrofit, Gibdock claims that it has ‘actively geared up to meet increased shipowner demand for high quality ballast water treatment system retrofits and is in active discussions with several potential clients.’
