Gibraltar: Reducing fuel consumption and time out of service are key concerns for any owner when considering a yard for repair/maintenance works, according to the managing director of Gibraltar’s Gibdock, Richard Beards.
All parties are looking to streamline their operations and Gibdock is well positioned to support clients in ensuring all works are as efficient and cost-effective as possible, Beards says.
Gibdock is within a protected deepwater port and features three drydocks, as well as two additional repair quays.
Gibdock sees around 80 vessels in its drydocks per year, as well as undertaking afloat works for around another 40 vessels along more than 1,000m of available wharf. Gibdock serves a mix of vessel markets, ranging from cruiseships and ferries, to containerships, bulk carriers and gas carriers, offshore and specialised vessels, dredgers and tugs. Interestingly, the offshore sector now accounts for 46% of the yard’s work.
Recent investments have included: a new workshop roof; new crane rails for Drydocks 2 and 3; and new blasting and painting equipment. Over the last 12 months a new system of safe walkways for visitors and staff has also been completed, while the yard’s Integrated Management System (IMS) has been recertified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance.
The yard has also benefited from the completion of ‘Pad 1’, an area available for land-based fabrication to supplement and enhance dry docking business.
Gibdock also recently ‘went live’ with first phase implementation of a Microsoft Dynamics AX Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) automated and harmonised estimating, quotation, specification and invoicing system, developed to enhance back-office operations.
Beards comments: “As our clients increasingly place greater emphasis on the quality process, the addition of the new ERP system has increased the speed at which we are now able to respond and implement effective solutions. This system also enables more effective management of our resources, enhancing cost-effectiveness and competitiveness.”
Another niche business that is growing is for both scrubbers and ballast water treatment retrofitting. [18/11/14]
