Vessel and semisubmersible rig maintenance and modifications are characterised by tight deadlines and strict project schedules. Any unwarranted delays in the repair programme can result in serious negative knock-on effects for the client. Companies cite financial and reputation loss as the primary major consequences of repair setbacks, says

Cape Town-based vessel repair, upgrade and maintenance company DCD Marine, which understands the importance of ensuring that the turnaround time on any vessel is reduced. “DCD Marine has earned a reputation for commitment to the sustainability of each client’s business. “The company continues to grow its client base in the oil and gas and marine industries through adherence to strict quality, safety and operational procedures,” says DCD Marine GM Gerry Klos.

As a shipyard and service provider to the international oil and gas industry, DCD Marine is regulated by stringent quality and safety compliance. The company’s commitment to safety and quality is evident in its certification with the Lloyd’s ISO 9001:2008 quality management system, complemented by the ISO:18001:2007 standard for safety and health administration.

A number of factors come into play when selecting a vessel repair service provider, says Klos. “It is important to guarantee a predetermined capacity when tendering for projects. Vessel owners create production schedules that are planned to the nth degree. It is, therefore, critical that, when a vessel arrives in port, the facilities required to undertake the repair or refurbishment work are geared up to cope with the workload.”

He adds that the company needs to carefully plan the mobilisation of permanent and temporary employees, together with subcontractors, timeously and expeditiously. DCD Marine believes that by employing highly qualified staff and investing in the training and upskilling of its own staff as well as the employees of its subcontractors, the company is able to guarantee best practice service levels for its clients.

DCD Marine has access to a number of high-quality facilities, including the A-Berth facility, with its 275-m-long quay and 42 700 m² laydown area at Sturrock Graving Dock, in the Port of Cape Town; facilities in Saldanha Bay; and remote site capability. These facilities enable the company to mobilise staff, plant and equipment to undertake the repairs in any other port.

This was successfully demonstrated in the Port of Ngqura at the Coega industrial development zone, outside Port Elizabeth, during 2011.

The recently upgraded A-Berth facility was used to refurbish international drilling company Odfjell Drilling & Technology’s ultradeep-water drillship, Deepsea Metro II, in preparation for a contract in Brazil. “DCD Marine also recently undertook repairs and upgrading of Italian oil and gas industry contractor Saipem’s three-legged semisubmersible drilling rig, Scarabeo 3, at A-Berth,” says Klos.

Further, oil and gas marine services company Bourbon Offshore’s anchor handling vessel, Bourbon Thetys, was dry-docked in the Robinson dry dock.

“We also undertook the fabrication of subsea structures for SBM Offshore for petroleum and oil company PetroSA’s Project Ikhwezi in DCD Marine’s steel fabrication workshop,” comments Klos.

One of the company’s latest projects includes a semisubmersible drilling rig, the Noble Clyde Boudreaux, for Texas-based drilling contractor Noble Drilling. A time-driven project from the start, DCD Marine was allocated only 15 days to complete the scope of work prior to the vessel sailing to Australia. This included scraping, HP washing and painting of pontoons, braces, columns, fairleaders and anchor racks.

“The ability to undertake this volume of projects within a 12-month period is testament to DCD Marine’s ability to successfully strategise and finitely plan for successful completion,” says Klos.