Gibdock clocks record summer for offshore business

19 August 2016 – Simultaneous attention to four offshore support vessels at Gibdock demonstrates that the Gibraltar yard is now a regional hub for this specialized repair, maintenance and renewal work, operating as a base for mobilisation and de-mobilisation projects.

Gibdock achieved its busiest month this year in the offshore market in June 2016, pressing home its strategic location and reputation for high quality, on-time redelivery, at a time when it is updating a series of management, safety and environment accreditations.

Four offshore vessels were at Gibdock at the same time, highlighting its status as the ‘go to’ regional hub for OSV, seismic survey ship, dive support vessel, anchor handling tug supply ship, pipe layer and construction support vessel work, says Managing Director Richard Beards.

“We are now attracting offshore vessels operating worldwide, but our advantageous location enables us to be particularly competitive for assets being mobilised, or demobilised in the Mediterranean and West Africa areas,” he says.

The biggest offshore vessel project undertaken by Gibdock so far this year involved Solstad Shipping’s Normand Cutter. The 127m long, 10,979grt CSV left the yard on June 29th following a 21-day stay in Dock 1. Work included the removal and overhaul of the complete propulsion system, and port and starboard gearboxes, plus routine five-year survey work.

Norway-based Solstad is now a regular Gibdock customer. Conrad Melhus, Solstad Shipping’s technical manager, says: “We chose Gibdock because of the good relationship we have with them, their reliability, and their good ‘hands on’ management with short reporting lines. They are also centrally positioned, with easy access by road from the main spare parts hubs in Europe.”

Also in the yard in June were: Atlantic Offshore’s 1,200 dwt, 1975-built AHTS Ocean Sky, for repair and maintenance in Dock 3, the 2011-built, 5,640dwt DSV Harkand Da Vinci in Dock 1; and Farstad’s 2009-built, multi-functional 121.5m subsea support vessel Far Samson, for afloat repairs.

Mr Beards says that Gibdock’s recent investment in Pad 1, a specialized prefabrication area alongside Dock 1, has been especially beneficial for more offshore projects, allowing the yard to take on more complex projects. “In line with our offshore successes, we are continually improving our QHSE, at a time when owners are watching every last dollar and some shipyards may be tempted to seek work based on aggressive pricing alone. We know that safety and the environment in particular are key concerns for offshore owners and operators,”

Gibdock is transitioning from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 quality and from ISO 14001:2004 to ISO 14001:2015 environmental standard accreditation.

Gibdock played host to four offshore support vessels at the same time at the end of June, highlighting its hub status for specialised maintenance and repair work.