South Africa: DCD MARINE Braves Challenges in Completion of High-Level Projects

Vessel and semi-submersible 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 reputational loss as the primary major consequences of repair setbacks.

Cape Town-based vessel repair, upgrade and maintenance company DCD MARINE understands the importance of ensuring that the turnaround time on any vessel needs to be minimised.

“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 Gerry Klos, General Manager of DCD MARINE.

As a world-class 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 and complemented by its Lloyd’s OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation.

A number of factors come into play when selecting a vessel repair service provider, according to 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.

“Furthermore, one 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 sub-contractors, the company is able to guarantee best practice service levels to its clients,” adds Klos.

DCD MARINE has access to a number of top-class facilities including the A-Berth facility, with its 275 metre long quay and 42 700m² laydown area 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 (Coega) during 2011.

The recently upgraded A-Berth facility was utilised to refurbish Odfjell Drilling and Technology’s Deepsea Metro II vessel in preparation for a contract in Brazil.

“In addition, DCD MARINE recently undertook repairs and upgrading of Saipem’s three-legged semi -submersible drilling rig, Scarabeo 3, at A-Berth.,” says Klos.

The Sturrock Graving Dock has an overall length of 360 metres, a bottom width of 38.4 metres and a depth over the entrance sill HWOST (High Water of Ordinary Spring Tide) of 13.7 metres. The dock recently played host to the arrival of the Dynamic Installer, a SBM Offshore’s diving support vessel. Similarly, Ensco’s DS-1 (previously known as the Pride Africa) drillship was dry docked and upgraded at the facility.

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 PetroSA’s Project Ikhwezi in DCD MARINE’s steel fabrication workshop,” comments Klos.

One of the company’s latest projects includes the semi-submersible drilling rig from a Texas-based drilling contractor, the Noble Clyde Boudreaux. A time-driven project from the start, DCD MARINE was allocated only 15 days to complete the scopes of work prior to sailing to Australia. This included scraping, HP washing, painting of pontoons, braces, columns, fairleaders and anchor racks. The project also included the installation of a new blast wall and supplying and fitting of 209 off tank anodes and 80 off hull anodes. DCD MARINE completed the repairs a day ahead of schedule.

“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.

Klos points out that in addition to these capacities, the company has extensive experience and knowledge in the industry.

“This is complemented by the expertise and skills evident in our carefully-chosen projects team.

We have invested intensively in the upskilling of our employees and sub-contractors. In this way, we are able to both service the requirements of our clients and support job creation in the industry.

According to our clients, Cape Town continues to be the leading Port for rig and vessel repairs and upgrades due its location, infrastructure, capacity and capabilities with Coega and Saldanha Bay as alternative options.

“DCD MARINE aligns itself with industry-respected and reliable sub-contractors, all committed to our common objective of the provision of safe, quality and customised repair, refurbishment and fabrication services. This has allowed the company to become recognised as the preferred supplier of turnkey project offerings, including project management, vessel inspections, drydocking, rig repairs and upgrades, as well as conversions and modifications,” Klos concludes.

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DCD MARINE, November 9, 2012