winter 2013
rock news Skills set agenda for growth
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. 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.
T
imes 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.
Richard Beards Managing Director, Gibdock
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
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.
Gibdock winter 2013.indd 1
28/10/2013 16:09:59