rock newsSkills set agenda for growth

winter 2013

Times are challenging, so it is particularly encouraging that Gibdock has been operating close to full capacity throughout 2013. A wide range of vessel types have

docked with us, with the main driver behind our successful year to date being the offshore sector.

We have seen a number of high profile offshore vessel-operating customers returning. Repeat business from such demanding clients is a testament to our performance, with everyone from project planners and managers to yard craftsmen closely involved in ensuring we complete these complex jobs on schedule and to specification.

As a consequence, we have also been able to secure some important new business from other leading offshore operators in 2013. Technip docked its Wellservicer with us earlier this year, and at time of writing Subsea 7’s Antares is in the yard. We hope that having experienced the capabilities of our highly talented and dedicated workforce for the first time, these companies will also return.

Going forward offshore remains a primary growth target for Gibdock and its agency network, given our location advantage for owners operating in West Africa and Mediterranean markets in particular. Recent promotional efforts included a strong presence at Offshore Europe, in Aberdeen, and we are following up on a number of promising leads after that event.

Offshore support vessel work continues to be central to our growth – seen here is the team of workers which ensured

the successful completion of the Wellservicer project.

John Taylor Operations Director, Gibdock

Marine species outside the bubble We have introduced an innovative means of preventing marine species from being trapped within Gibdock’s operational docks. As part of efforts to improve the environmental performance of operations taking place within Gibraltar Harbour we have installed a ‘bubble barrier’ around Dock 3 on a test basis. If all goes well the same approach will be adopted at Docks 1 and 2.

The technique works by mimicking the way dolphins use bubbles to prevent prey from escaping when hunting, but in this case, the gentle bubbling deters marine life from entering the dock, in order to minimise the number of fish being trapped inside.

Bubble barrier solution for marine life protection

Of course, this growth has to be built on solid foundations, and it is also encouraging that our skill sets are having an impact in other sectors. The docking of Sunborn Gibraltar should remind the market of our expertise in handling large passenger vessels, for example, while the visit of the CSAV Rungue shows that we continue to be an attractive option for container vessel owners. Gibdock has also worked on a number of tugs, ferries and tankers this year underlining our versatility.

The traditional shiprepair market remains testing, with owners typically requiring less work per vessel than they did before the financial crisis. Commercial vessel repairs are our bread and butter, though, and it is an encouraging sign for the future that we are maintaining a healthy position in those markets that have served us well over the past 20 years and more, as a basis for branching out in the offshore sector.

Richard BeardsManaging Director, Gibdock

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Project News

Gibdock newsletter • Winter 2013

rock news

Seismic challenge met

Among the highlights of our workload this September was a project involving the sophisticated seismic survey vessel Viking Vanquish, operated by Paris-based CGG Veritas and owned by the Norwegian company Eidesvik. This project posed particular challenges, even in comparison to the high-end offshore vessel work that has become a feature of our business in the recent past.

The main scope of work involved a tailshaft withdrawal and full overhaul of the shaft, couplings, liners and related equipment. This was a complex process, as removing the shaft required cutting away a section of the stern tube to gain access. Usually the couplings can be found in the engine room, but this was not the case with Viking Vanquish.

The job also demanded tests on the vessel’s many winches, as well as a range of other machinery, pipe works, propeller blade/seal renewal and extensive blasting/painting of the vessel’s exterior areas.

At Gibdock, we pride ourselves on our willingness to use new repair techniques as they become available and another notable feature of this project involved the application of a new cleaning product from Ultraclean AS. We believe that this is the first use of this product in the shiprepair market. Ultraclean is an environmentally-responsible combination of gel and chemicals applied to remove corrosion on Viking Vanquish’s gun-deck and cranes and then washed away with water to prepare surfaces for coating.

One of the more unusual projects handled by Gibdock to date this year involved Sunborn Gibraltar.

At first glance the 142m long, seven deck-high vessel resembles a sophisticated high-end cruise ship or mega yacht, but in reality it is designed to be a permanently moored five-star hotel. Berthing space is now being prepared for the floating structure alongside Gibraltar’s Ocean Village complex.

Built in Malaysia, Sunborn Gibraltar was transported on a heavy lift vessel to Gibraltar, arriving in June this year. She was then immediately moved to Gibdock, where the yard carried out an extensive underwater hull blasting and coating work programme in its main drydock.

The project involved close cooperation with Norwegian coatings supplier Jotun. After discussions with the owner, Jotun’s tried and tested Marathon coating system was chosen for Gibdock’s experienced coating team to apply.

Solid as a rockThe Mediterranean ship repair sector has witnessed significant changes over recent years. One of our nearest competitors in geographical terms has withdrawn from the market, while two other repair yards within our region are under new ownership.

In the meantime we have been strengthening our reputation and investing in the future.

Our unfolding strategic plan for the offshore sector recently saw the yard pass a significant milestone in its drive to attract wider oil and gas work, following completion of its first assembly pad (Pad 1). The custom-designed assembly area includes a load-out quay and draws on service craneage. It adjoins the 400m long ‘South Mole’ waterfront, with its ample 12m draft to accom-modate semi-submersibles, which has been cleared for dedicat-ed semi-sub/FPSO/drilling unit work.

Over the past year Gibdock has made a number of other invest-ments. These include the completion of a new system of safe walk-ways. We have also recertified our Integrated Management Sys-tem (IMS), with a team from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance visiting the yard to carry out a thorough and challenging audit of its systems including ISO18001, ISO14001 and ISO9001 standards.

Viking Vanquish – a complex project successfully completed

Five star treatment for Floatel

Sunborn Gibraltar

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Gibdock newsletter • Winter 2013

Apprentices step up

Pictured are this year’s graduates from the Gibdock apprenticeship scheme, the four-year National Vocational Qualification training programme developed in cooperation with the Government of Gibraltar. The scheme ensures that the skills that contribute so strongly to our reputation for quality are passed on to the next generation.

CSAV makes its debutThe first container vessel operated by the Chilean shipping line, CSAV, recently docked at the yard. This was a standard drydocking in many ways, involving exterior coating with silicone paint, but attention to detail in routine work is one of our key strengths in attracting new references.

Owned by Martime, the 3,400 teu capacity, 218m long 2008-built CSAV Rung brings another German-owned containership reference to the yard. In fact, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Ernst Russ, our agent in Germany, for its endeavours as our top-performing overseas partner in 2012.

Commercial approach from Carlos Carlos Anastacio took up his new role as Gibdock Commercial Manager in August, after three years with the yard as an estimator that brought him into contact with many of our customers.

Carlos has already been travelling extensively following his promotion to ensure customer satisfaction face-to-face. He says: “I am really looking forward to putting my many years of experience of working in the ship repair industry to good use within the Gibdock commercial team. I know the industry very well, and believe I have a good track record of success to draw in my new role.”

Carlos Anastacio, Gibdock’s new Commercial Manager

Spotlight on supplier

Hydraulics partnership blossomsEngineers from Vigo-based Neuwalme Hydraulic & Pneumatic have been regular visitors to Gibdock in recent months, with the upturn in work from offshore operators in particular leading to an increasingly close working relationship between the two companies.

Neuwalme came highly recommended by one of our growing band of offshore support vessel partners as a contractor on hydraulics, and the initial recommendation has led to a series of jobs involving different owners.

One of these projects saw the renewal of some 2.5km of hydraulic piping, with Neuwalme also checking the hydraulic systems throughout the OSV.

Alejandro Iglesias Vazquez, Neuwalme Commercial Director, says: “We have a lot of experience in performing this type of work, as we specialise in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Our main focus is on marine, but we also do work in areas such as aviation and wind farms, for example.”

The company was formed in 1981 and has a staff of over 50 persons. As well as locations in Spain the company now has offices in Morocco and Brazil, as it has expanded in response to market opportunities.

Gibdock Operations Director John Taylor says: “We have built up a good partnership and it is very useful to have a company with their level of expertise. They know what they are doing and we can leave them to get on with it.”

The respect appears to be mutual. Mr Vazquez says: “It is rare that a shipyard has the infrastructure that Gibdock does. They have a very professional workforce and we have seen excellent levels of communication. I certainly have a good feeling about our relationship going forward.”

In addition to servicing existing hydraulic plant, Neuwalme manufactures hydraulic power systems and related products. This includes hydraulic power packs, hydraulic panels and pneumatic and electrical control cabinets.

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rock news

Shipyard agent Good communications pay dividends in changing marketUK agent, Ship Repairers & Shipbuilders Ltd (SRS), believes the ability to communicate is one of key attributes setting Gibdock apart from the competition in a changing market.

SRS owner Roderick Wordie says: “Working with such a dynamic and progressive yard is rewarding, but also challenging. Gibdock’s strategic location is highly advantageous for our marketing efforts, but this is backed up by excellent communication, exemplary customer service, timely refi ts, high quality of workmanship, and going the extra mile on Health and Safety.”

Founded in 1968, SRS was the fi rst company in the UK to establish itself as an independent marketing agency for ship repair and conversion yards. The company has counted Gibdock among its roster of clients for 12 years.

Gibdock newsletter • Winter 2013

For further information, please contact:Hugh O’Mahony, Director; PR, JLA Media Ltde: hugh.omahony@j-l-a.comt: +44 (0) 208 405 6343m: +44 (0) 794 970 8679

AppointmentsQHSE team expands

The Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) team is an increasingly important resource for Gibdock. As a refl ection of the pivotal role this group plays, we have recruited two additional members of staff, Andy Eastwood and James Gyngell.

Chris Inwood, QHSE Manager, says: “Owners are looking for yards that can guarantee excellent QHSE performance. They are raising the health and safety bar all the time, and having Andy and James onboard will help ensure we can keep pace with their requirements.”

As well as ensuring that internal systems meet international standards like ISO 9001, ISO 18001, ISO 14001 and ISPS, the yard faces the challenge of quality audits carried out by clients themselves. “These owner audits, often by offshore operators, are perhaps even tougher than the ISO standards as they all have particularly demanding requirements,” says Chris. “It is to make sure we are ready to tackle such challenges that we have taken on more expertise in this fi eld.”

Andy returns to the company after a short absence. Chris adds: “We are pleased to have Andy back with us. He knows the organisation well and understands what the business needs in terms of QHSE.”

“Originally, the focus was to secure a good foundation within the UK’s conventional ship repair market,” says Mr Wordie. “The result has been the strengthening of relationships with owners and managers of containerships, bulkers, reefers, LNG, LPG, tankers and dredgers. More recently the focus has been on the offshore sector.”

Mr Wordie says he looks forward to continuing to support Gibdock over the coming years, adding: “We are very proud of the close relationship that has developed between the yard and ourselves as agent.”

SRS is owned and operated by Roderick Wordie (right), assisted by Captain Nicholas Pearson and Marie McClure.

Helping hand to Clean up the WorldGibdock rated two acknowledgements for giving support to local organisers of this year’s ‘Clean up the World’ campaign, which culminated in a day of action in scorching September sunshine.

Public attention inevitably focused on a community effort that attracted over 400 volunteers to leave Gibraltar pristine and litter-free, and the Rock was surely stirred by a Parade led by the rhythmic drummers of Art in Movement. However, organiser The Environmental Safety Group went out of its way to highlight the way local businesses rallied round this compelling ‘good cause’.

Once again, Gibdock’s contribution to the community-led initiative focused on the practical help we can offer as a local business, and on providing capabilities that other participants fi nd diffi cult to source. Clean up the World is a ‘hands on’ action, and we are delighted to be able to offer hands that make a real difference.

ESG acknowledged our contribution of the crane to the Logistical & Equipment Support team, and also to the support we offered to the campaign’s designated rubbish collectors, whose work went on throughout the day, long after the volunteers had hung up their pickers.

It was the ninth time that the Campaign has been held in Gibraltar, and we at Gibdock very much look forward to the continuation of what has become a fun family day out for the entire community.

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