Feature 2 | MIDDLE EAST Steady flow of work for Albwardy
Repair and conversion business has been running at a similar level to 2009, reports Albwardy Marine Engineering.
D
ubai-based Albwardy Marine Engineering (AME) has enjoyed a successful year, despite tough
market conditions. Deputy general manager, Mark Pearson says: “We have retained all of our workforce, whereas some competitors have been forced to reduce staff levels, and since the second quarter of 2010 we have been very busy. With exception to new construction, the overall volume of work carried out has been at similar levels to 2009.” A number of significant projects have
been undertaken in recent months by AME, including the installation of a nitrogen generator onboard Al Amarat, a 51,000dwt chemical/products tanker owned by Oman Shipping Company. Tis work was carried out both alongside a repair berth and also at the Fujairah anchorage. Mr Pearson adds: “Due to the success of
this project, where we completed the work on time and within budget, the owners have confirmed a further installation onboard the sister vessel Al Matrah.” Te repeat installation is due to take place before the end of October. AME has also recently completed a full
hydraulic system renewal onboard the J.F.J. de Nul, a 3200dwt cutter suction dredger
the company has fitted a new bow thruster to the Al Jamoah, a 3200bhp tug vessel owned by the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC). A similar installation on a sister vessel called the Abu Al Sayayeef is scheduled to take place later this year. Ongoing at the time of writing was
Albwardy has carried out a wide range of projects this year, keeping its workforce fully employed.
owned by Jan de Nul, while this vessel was stationed in Duqm, Oman. Tis project was carried out by a team of up to 20 men working continuously over a four month period. Te company also carried out a major
project to convert an offshore utility vessel, Island Trader, into a oceanographic survey vessel for EGS of Hong Kong. Tis entailed fitting a bow thruster to the vessel, installing additional accommodation, further generators, air conditioning systems, an A-Frame and survey equipment. All this work was completed at AME’s yard at Al Jadaf in Dubai. AME is also actively using the shipliſt facilities in Dubai Maritime City, where
Heisco plans expansion Significant investment to upgrade facilities is being considered. T 30
he Kuwaiti shiprepair yard Heisco has revealed that the construction of a new
graving dock for the yard is under active consideration and planning for this project is now underway. The acquisition of additional cranes and the overhaul of existing equipment is part of the company’s plan to take a more significant share of the upper Gulf shiprepair market. Over the past year or so Heisco has added a new division for navigation and
communication systems upgrades, and has taken steps to improve security at the yard. Furthermore Heisco has upgraded diving capabilities, including refurbishing a diving vessel and adding a brush cart for underwater hull cleaning. Business at Heisco is buoyant, with
repair volumes reportedly on track for at least a 20% increase this year, compared with 2009. Heisco mainly serves the local market, including commercial and governmental vessels, and its key clients are the Kuwaiti and Iraqi navies.
The yard is currently working on a significant project to repair and upgrade naval landing craft for the Government of Kuwait. Conveniently located in Shuwaikh
deep water harbour, Heisco operates a 190m long floating drydock, which caters for vessels up to 35,000dwt, as well as a 5000dwt capacity synchrolift which services seven repair bays, ranging in length from 90m to 135m. There are also five berths up to 230m in length for alongside repairs. SCRT
Shiprepair and Conversion Technology 4thQuarter 2010
a project involving Olympic Spirit II, a 96,000dwt crude oil tanker owned by Springfield Shipping. This project will involve turbocharger and engine overhauls, the renewal of the cargo tank heating coil, the refurbishment of the anchor windlass, rewinding numerous electric motors and other smaller works. All activities are being carried out at the Khor Fakkan anchorage by a team of Albwardy technicians. While AME operates at different
locations across the Middle East Gulf, its main service base is at Al Jadaf, which is due to be closed within the next few years. Te company has looked at several options for relocation and these vary from building its own shipyard with shipliſt to leasing a plot of land and constructing a more modern workshop at Dubai Maritime City. A final decision is expected to be taken by AME’s Board of Directors within the next few months. SCRT
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