ROCK NEWS
GIBDOCK NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017
Gibdock has got off to a sound start in 2017, with encouraging signs of underlying recovery in several markets. In particular, a steady stream of ferries operating in regional waters have been visiting for their regular drydockings, in a season running from January to May. Richard Beards, Managing Director, says: “Many of our ferry clients have had a reasonable year in 2016 and are investing back into their vessels.” The yard has also seen a slight upturn in offshore work, perhaps indicating the first signs of recovery after a challenging period for the market. “We have handled four offshore vessels in recent months, so hopefully the worst may be over,” says Richard. The recent docking of the Thompson Majesty also suggests there remains a healthy demand for cruise ship work in the Mediterranean, which Gibdock is well-placed to meet, while activity on behalf of the Ministry of Defence is also on the up. “We are starting to see more naval ships, and this augurs well for the future,” suggests Richard.
Gibdock is also beginning to see work resulting from regulatory changes including both the Ballast Water Convention and ongoing moves to limit emissions levels. “More of our clients are enquiring about ballast water treatment system retrofits as part of their overall drydock specifications,” says Richard. “We offer a flexible solution, either simply fitting the necessary pipe work to allow for future installation, or installing fully working systems.” Meanwhile, the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote last year has eased for the time being, says Richard. “Needless to say, management at the yard is taking action to prepare for Brexit, but so far it is simply not a factor; it is very much business as usual.” Significant investment is planned this year to maintain critical assets at the Gibdock yard. This includes rebuilding one of the main pumps, refurbishing caissons and renewing the slew bearing on one of the dockside cranes. “We are spending considerable sums this year to ensure we continue to deliver the high levels of productivity and reliability our customers have come to expect,” he concludes.
ON TRACK FOR ISO TRANSITION
Gibdock and Mabbett staff worked together to secure Gibdock the audit for transition to ISO’s latest standards
>>> FULL STORY ON PAGE 3
PROJECT NEWS
DREYFUS CABLE LAYER DEBUT Leading French shipowner, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, docked its first vessel with Gibdock last December, marking a significant business win for the yard. The 2002-built, 140m cable layer, Ile de Brehat, spent 16 days in dock for a full external blasting and coating package, covering almost 7600m2, as well as the overhaul of three of its thruster units. The thruster work required installation of 4m high dock blocks in Gibdock’s No 1 Drydock before the ship’s arrival, to facilitate their removal. Gibdock was also tasked with upgrading the vessel’s hydro-acoustic systems, various minor steel repairs, the installation of a new ballast water treatment system, the renewal of the vessel’s A frame, and load testing a total of 11 onboard cranes.
Filip Tsankov, ship repair manager for this project, says: “The main challenge was to combine the extensive hull blasting and coating with the thruster overhaul, both of which were lengthy items of work. Managing these two jobs without compromising the delivery time was not an easy task, but we completed it successfully.” The vessel departed the yard on 11th January before starting a new deployment in Northern
LELYSTAD RETURN
as a repeat client. We know both ship and customer very well and we were pleased to be able to offer a speedy solution.”
The Van Oord trailing suction hopper dredger, Lelystad, is no stranger to Gibdock. Indeed, she has now been docked in Gibraltar four times, most recently in February when the 137m long vessel spent nine days in dock for tail-end work. Paul Cano, ship repair manager, says: “This is a regularly returning vessel as well
During the vessel’s stay the yard removed the existing rudder stock, and replaced this with a new rudder unit. In addition, the owner requested tailshaft work and fuel oil tank cleaning while the vessel was in dock. Paul adds: “ We were able to carry out the work that was required quickly and to a high quality, so the vessel lost a relatively short time in service.”
Europe, having previously offshore the United States.
operated
Carlos Anastacio, Commercial Manager says: “We were delighted to welcome Louis Dreyfus as a new customer. Gibdock’s location made the yard an excellent option, while the customer was also attracted by our reputation for quality and competitiveness.”
GRIMALDI ALONGSIDE Gibdock has drydocked a number of vessels for the Italian-based Grimaldi shipping group over the past year. Continuing this relationship, and demonstrating its flexibility, the yard was recently able to offer the company an alongside repair service for the 2010-built, 26,653 dwt ro-ro containership, Grande Senegal. The vessel had suffered damage to its anchor pockets, and needed an urgent repair. Gibdock was able to respond and Grande Senegal was alongside for 10 days while the work was carried out, allowing it to re-enter service with minimal delay. Jonathan Pocock, ship repair manager, says: “We are perhaps best known for standard drydocking work. But when our customers need emergency afloat repairs, we are well equipped to meet their requirements, whatever the circumstances or prevailing weather conditions.”
ROCK NEWS • SPRING 2017
UP CLOSE
DOCK MASTER ‘LEGEND’ PASSES TORCH Dock Master Horace Gafan is something of a legend at Gibdock, having worked at the Gibraltar shipyard since August 1967, when he joined as an apprentice in his late teens. Five decades later he is preparing to retire this summer, and hand over to his Assistant Dock Master, Richard Webber. During his 50 years of service, Horace has had many different roles, including spells as a draughtsman and surveyor. In 1985 he became dock foreman and was steadily promoted, becoming Dock Master in 1998, taking on full responsibility for the docking of all ships entering the yard. Horace says: “I have really enjoyed the work, which has given me a great sense of achievement. The Dock Master is responsible for preparing a full docking plan for a wide range of vessel types, everything from naval ships to seismic survey vessels, and liaising with customers, pilots, captains and the port authority, among others. Ultimately he is responsible for making sure everything goes well and I like to think that our success over the years in efficiently and safely docking ships is there for everyone to see.” Horace has certainly earned the respect of his peers and his presence at the yard will be much missed. As Richard Beards, Managing Director, reflects: “The key to Horace’s success is not just his phenomenal technical knowledge, but the manner in which he goes about his
>>> ON TRACK FOR ISO TRANSITION Gibdock was successfully audited for the new ISO 2015 standards relating to Quality (ISO 9001) and Environment (ISO 14001) in April this year. The yard has been working with a UKbased company, Mabbett Consultants to
work. He is always both professional and friendly and everyone speaks highly of Horace and the Gibdock docking team.” Horace’s experience will not be completely lost to Gibdock and its customers, however. He will be retained as a consultant once he officially retires, providing his invaluable expertise to individual projects as required. “I hope very much that we can keep Horace involved with the company,” says John Taylor, Gibdock Operations Director. “After all, his experience and expertise are unparalleled.” In retirement, Horace is looking forward most to spending more time with his family. “While I am still enjoying the work, which is in my veins, it will be nice to have more free time to see my children and grandchildren,” he says. Considerable attention has been paid by Gibdock management to the succession planning, preparing for the day Horace retires. Richard Webber has spent the past eight years as Assistant Dock Master gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to move seamlessly into the Dock Master role. Richard says: “It will be sad to see Horace go, but I am looking forward to taking on the responsibility. I have learned a lot over the last eight years working with him, and certainly there is no exam that can prepare you fully for
ensure a smooth transition from existing ISO standards, updating Gibdock’s Integrated Management Systems and internal audit training. QHSE Manager, Francis Mauro says: “We have a strong team of eight people who have been very busy, going through an intense schedule of auditing throughout the yard to ensure we are compliant. The
(l-r) Richard Weber and Horace Gafan
the day-to-day experience of docking ships. You have to learn on the job, not in the class room, and Horace has been a great mentor.” Nevertheless, Richard has also been through an extensive training programme, gaining certification from the Royal Institute of Naval Architects as part of its Basic Drydock training course, for example. Richard joined Gibdock 20 years ago and has worked his way up through the ranks. “Being a Dock Master is a great job,” he says. “No two days are ever the same and the problem-solving aspects of the work are a challenge that I enjoy. I can’t wait to get started in the new role!”
transition reinforces our commitments to quality and environmental protection.” New Health and Safety standards ISO 45001 are also due to be published by ISO in Spring 2018. “We are already working to make sure we are ahead of the game and can transition smoothly to these new standards as soon as they come out,” adds Francis.
ROCK NEWS • SPRING 2017
EVENT NEWS
VISIT US AT STAND D04-22
GIBDOCK’S CAREERS PATH Intake into our widely-praised Apprentice Scheme this year broke our own previous record, with a total of 17 new recruits joining the first phase of training for the scheme during February.
OSLO CALLING Nor Shipping is almost here and, of course, Gibdock is among the exhibitors at one of the most important events on the maritime calendar for our clients. As ever when it comes to Norway, we are being ably supported by our agents Storm & Bull.
The four-year training scheme, which leads on to a NVQ qualification, has been running since 1998 in association with the Government of Gibraltar. It has proved an invaluable resource in retaining skills within the local workforce, and demonstrates Gibdock’s commitment to the local economy and to nurturing the high-quality craftsmanship which sets our shiprepair activities apart from the competition.
Gibdock’s central location within the territory of Gibraltar does not mean that we do not need to make every effort to stress our significance as a business on local talent. Therefore, Gibdock is not only a proud investor in its people, but also a regular participant at the Gibraltar Careers Fair, which this year took place on the evening of 28th February at the Gibraltar Cruise Terminal Hall. Organised by Westside & Bayside Comprehensive Schools and the Gibraltar College, the Careers Fair gives students the chance to speak to professionals in various fields of employment, and offers Gibdock the opportunity to demonstrate what a shiprepair and conversion business has to offer as a career path.
“Norway has been a significant market for Gibdock over the years, and our abilities in undertaking complex work to the highest standards have proved particularly attractive to offshore customers,” says Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director. “Clearly, the last couple of years have been challenging in this market, but the first signs of an overall recovery are starting to show through, and Nor Shipping 2017 falls at an opportune time to catch up with the Norwegian and wider shipping community and discuss prospects for offshore and commercial marine business. Our experience has been that Gibdock’s location is especially eye-catching for Norwegian owners, given their extensive geographic reach.”
At the recent careers fair, pictured (l-r), Gibdock Managing Director Richard Beards, Gibraltar’s Minister for Infrastructure and Planning – The Hon Paul J Balban MP, and Gibdock Operations Director John Taylor
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Richard Beards (right) in conversation with Thomas Ness, General Manager of Storm & Bull’s Oslo office, at the last Nor Shipping
ROCK NEWS • SPRING 2017
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