Quick service for Nile River at Colombo Dockyard

Dredging International Marine & Waterway Contractors, Belgium owned Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) was allocated emergency drydock space at extremely short notice proving Colombo’s ability serve the demanding needs of her callers.

Colombo Dockyard Plc (CDPLC) provided the required emergency drydocking and repair services for one of world’s biggest dredger owners/operators Dredging International – when the dredger Nile River was accommodated in Colombo Dockyard’s 125,000 dwt drydock for emergency repairs.

The owners were keen that the dredger entered into drydock on arrival, the shipyard was one step ahead with all necessary planning being done to complete the vessels already inside the drydocks and ready the docks for the incoming dredger. The dredger Nile River arrived early morning 06 00 hours on 12 September – given the excellent co-ordination from the Colombo Pilot Station/Local Agents – GAC Shipping Ltd and Colombo Dockyard Plc teams. The vessel’s movement was done smoothly and the dredger was in the drydock by 0830 hrs.  

During this 72 hour (3 day) emergency drydocking call the critical job was to rectify the leaking shaft, this was attended to with in-situ vulcanising of the seals, while bottom door repairs were carried out, Over-flow trunk steel renewal was also attended to during this short call.

The dredger was accommodated in Colombo Dockyards Dock No. 4 – 125,000 dwt drydock exclusively to attend to the emergency repairs, shifting the drydocking programme of the other inward planned vessels. The work was carried out with service engineer’s presence meeting owner’s requirements. As the dredger was on a tight time line, the ship yard worked round the clock to expedite the work and re-deliver the vessel back to owners within 3 days. Owner’s representative Arend Kamphorst Snr Technical Superintendent headed the Dredging International team and looked after the owner’s interests during this emergency repair call.  The Colombo Dockyard project team assigned for this job was headed by Ship Manager D.U. Manatunga; the deck department scope was handled by V.K.P.P. Panagoda while the steel department was handled by V.A.M. Gunatilake.  The classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) requirements were also met during this call.

Colombo has been providing reliable and fast repair facilities to many international dredger owners over the past such as Van Oord Ship Management-Holland, Dredging Corporation-India, Mercator Lines Ltd.-India. Currently the dredger Sagar Hansa owned by Van Oord Ship Management is nearing completion of her drydocking repairs in the yard.

Colombo Dockyard Plc, operating with foreign equity partnership with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd. Japan since 1993 and have created a niche for specialised repair of dredgers, tankers and offshore support vessels. This blue chip company which is listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange has grown into formidable player in the region, given the exemplary performance under the visionary leadership of Akihiko Nakauchi, Chairman and Mangala Yapa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. In recognising Colombo Dockyard Plc achievements the company has recently been listed by the Forbes Magazine (September 2010) – under the Asia’s 200 Best under a (US $) Billion category. These international rankings do give high motivational strength to the dedicated work force counting over 3000 in ship repair, shipbuilding, offshore and heavy engineering sectors, in continuing her odyssey of excellence. -