High levels of occupancy during the first two months of 2020 and strong forward bookings are sustaining momentum for Gibdock, following a surge in demand for the Gibraltar repair yard in the last quarter of 2019.
One standout project involving significant complexity saw Gibdock undertake extensive repairs to Juvel at the end of 2019, after the Aker Biomarine fishing vessel suffered extensive fire damage off South America. Over several months, the 99.5-meter-long Juvel required retrofitting across four decks, including accommodation and bridge areas, and Gibdock technicians working in tight spaces.
Recent assignments include a number of ‘environmental’ retrofits, such as converting Balearia’s 154-meter-long, 1,000-passenger capacity ro-pax ferry Bahama Mama to dual-fuel. In a similar project, Gibdock earlier converted Napoli for the same owner, although in this case LNG storage tanks were mounted on the stern deck, rather than integrated within the ship’s structure.
Gibdock has also installed a number of exhaust gas scrubbers over the past year, including a retrofit on the Compagnie Maritime Nantaise ro-ro vessel, MN Pelican. This project called for significant steel work and created a new pump room for the scrubber.
Recent weeks have also seen Gibdock benefit from a busy ferry season, with local operators returning to the yard for winter refits, while signs are also positive in the offshore vessel segment.