Gas

Another Avance Gas VLGC is sent to dry-dock for inspection

London: A second brand-new Avance Gas VLGC is to be sent for dry-docking after its sister ship experienced technical difficulties just 11 weeks after its launch.

In March, the Monsoon (83,000dwt, built 2015) experienced what Avance calls “technical irregularities” during its maiden voyage from Balboa, Panama to China.

Its sister ship Breeze (82,000dwt, built 2015) will be dry-docked in Singapore on April 22 for inspection, which will delay the vessel entering service, Avance Gas said today.

The inspection will aim to ensure the same defect that affected Monsoon will not affect Breeze or Avance’s five other VLGCs that will be delivered during the next six months.

Breeze was delivered to Avance Gas on April 9 from Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industries, China. Monsoon arrived from the yard in January.

Lloyd’s Technical Investigation Department is still investigating what went wrong with the Monsoon, which has been dry-docked at China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard since April 8.

“The preliminary conclusion is that the aft stern tube bearing will need modifications in order to achieve normal bearing clearances, which are in the fraction of millimetres,” Avance Gas said today.

The vessel is expected to be refitted by the end of the month and to be back in service during first two weeks of May, the company says.

Holly Birkett

Holly is Splash's Online Editor and correspondent for the UK and Mediterranean. She has been a maritime journalist since 2010, and has written for and edited several trade publications. She is currently studying for membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. In 2013, Holly won the Seahorse Club's Social Media Journalist of the Year award. She is currently based in London.
Back to top button