Dry Docking

Professionally planned, prepared, and executed dry docking services that are both efficient and predictable.

Dry-docking is one of the most important activities in a vessel's lifecycle. Every vessel is required to dry dock at least once every 5 years.

We identify objectives by engaging stakeholders, preparing comprehensive specifications and executing the project according to plan. This approach minimizes unplanned expenses and ensures high quality.

Vessel dry docking

Benefits of having a dedicated dry docking team

Influence with shipyards
  • Improved quotation (cost and time)
  • Priority for dock space
  • Better influence on the outcome
  • Single point of contact for shipyards management

Continuous improvement
  • Accumulative knowledge and experience to benefit our clients
  • KPIs
  • Valuable database

Project management competence
  • Developed competence through training and experience
  • Core work is docking by the usage of the software
  • Digital and prompt reports guaranteed

More resource allocation
  • Optimising vessel managers' and fleet managers' man hours spent in docking preparation
  • Ship staff spend less time/resources on docking preparations

Docking cost reduction for clients
  • Reduced unplanned cost
  • Improved efficiency and accuracy
  • Improved docking management and supervision

Promotes transparency to customers
  • Improved reporting quality and on-time
  • Financial, technical, and time progress updates
  • Limited software access can be provided to customers

Dry-docking requires extensive preparation and planning so it is better to leave it to experts. If poorly managed, the expenses and time can escalate, and important defects may not be identified and corrected.

FAQs regarding Dry Docking

What is the purpose of a dry docking?

The chief purpose of dry docks is for the maintenance, examination, and repair of submerged parts of a ship that remain unseen during its time in the water. The dry dock is important for various reasons:

  • Maintenance and Repairs: The dry docking allows for the hull and other underwater components to be cleaned, inspected, and repaired. This is crucial for maintaining the ship's hull structure and performance.
  • Safety Inspections: Annual inspection during dry-docking enables early detection and rectification of potential issues, ensuring the vessel and crew members' safety.
  • Efficiency: Due to wear and tear and depleting hull coating,  the vessel's efficiency and fuel consumption are both increased, whereby replacement and renewal will ensure better efficiency and lead to cost savings.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Most ships need to be dry-docked to meet various international maritime regulations and standards.

Why is dry docking required for ships?

A vessel will have suffered much wear and tear along the way. The dry docks allow ship management teams to identify and address these issues through repair or replacement, ensuring that the vessel remains in good condition and operates efficiently and safe.

How does a dry-docking process work?

Maintaining and repairing vessels relies on a disciplined and essential process called dry docking, which ensures they remain seaworthy and compliant with maritime regulations. The operation typically consists of three phases:

Phase 1: Pre-Docking Preparation

  • Kick-Off Meeting: Conducted with the vessel manager/fleet manager, typically 6-9 months before dry docking.
  • Objectives and Evaluations:
    • Objectives are set, past records and defect specifications are evaluated, and specifications are built.
    • Evaluate inputs from past records, including specifications, quotations, invoices, PMS (Planned Maintenance System), inspections, and life-cycle plans.
    • Assess defect specifications submitted by ship staff.
    • Input of classification, regulatory, clients and charterers requirements basis operational needs.
  • Specification Building: Create the docking specification using software like Refman or BASSnet.

Phase 2: Tender and Negotiation

  • Identify Shipyards: Discuss identified shipyards for tender during the Kick-Off Meeting.
  • Quotation Process:
    • Distribute the Yard Quotation Package (in Refman/BASSnet format) to the identified shipyards via email.
    • Receive quotations and input them into Refman or BASSnet software.
    • Carry out line by line price analysis to provide an apple-to-apple comparison.
  • Engage Shipyards:
    • Clarify and obtain missing quotes during the price analysis process.
    • Conduct cost negotiations for each job per line item (price analysis review) and to ensure quotation are covering full scope of works.
  • Repair Days and Payment Terms:
    • Negotiate realistic repair days at the yard (both dry dock and repair berth).
    • Discuss payment terms (percentage of payment before arrival, after departure, etc.).
    • Discuss on agreement basis BIMCO RepairCon.
  • Cost Comparison:
    • Prepare a yard cost comparison detailing all costs (including extra contingency costs), number of days, and payment terms.
    • Present the cost comparison to the vessel manager/fleet manager for final cost adjustment and finalization.
    • Prepare drydocking proposal basis clients’ requirement

Phase 3: Dry Dock Supervision

  • Kick-Off Meeting at Yard: Define expectations, repair, and safety standards with the shipyard.
  • Daily Oversight:
    • Attend daily meetings with the shipyard, service engineer, and ship staff.
    • Oversee and supervise all jobs to ensure repairs are carried out as per drydocking repair specification and clients’ expectations.
  • Reporting:
    • Provide daily progress reports detailing technical work done.
    • Update the project schedule (Gantt Chart).
    • Provide periodic updates on project costs and expenditures.
    • Ensure that any additional work order is justified with evidence.
  • Final Negotiation: Negotiate the final invoice with the yard.

How many types of dry docks are there?

Graving Docks
A graving dock is a narrow, cramped space that can be filled with water to allow vessels to pass through. It is frequently built with earthen berms and concrete. Once the vessel is positioned, the dock is emptied to provide a dry area for maintenance and repair work.

Floating dry Docks
Floating docks are propelled by buoyancy and can be raised to lift vessels out of the water or submerge to let them float in. These floating docks' great degree of flexibility and movability make them an ideal choice for a variety of shipyard operations. (A floating dock is a type of pontoon for dry docking vessels, possessing floodable buoyancy chambers and a 'U' shaped cross-section to lift a vessel out of the water.)

Marine Railway Dock
These kinds of docks have cradles on rails that reach into the water. The ship is floated over the cradle and then pulled up a ramp on rails to be taken out of the water. This technique is frequently applied to smaller vessels.

Slipway
Built into the shore are ramps known as slipways. After being hauled up the ramp, the vessel is brought in and placed over a cradle or support. This is a simple and efficient method for smaller vessels.

Synchrolift Dock
The platform used by the Synchro lift system can be lowered into the water. To raise the ships out of the water, it is floated over the raised platform. After that, the ships can be moved to dry docks for upkeep or repair, offering efficiency and flexibility.
(source: https://www.marineinsight.com)  

Dry-docking involves extensive preparation and planning, making it wise to rely on experts. Partner with our team to meticulously plan and execute every detail. Contact us today to secure your vessel's safety and efficiency with professional dry-docking management.

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