Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 1974)

'Repairing And Drydocking

Large Carriers'—H.P. Drewry

The growth in world international sea- borne trade during the last decade, particu- larly in bulk commodities, has been accom- panied by an equally rapid growth in the size of the world bulk fleet, and especially in the number of vessels of 50,000 dwt and over. By the end of 1977 it is estimated that there will be approaching 3,000 vessels in this category, of which over 700 will be very large carriers of 225,000 dwt and above (in- cluding 170 of 300,000 dwt and over). "Re- pairing and Drydocking Large Carriers," the latest in a series of shipping studies from H.P. Drewry (Shipping Consultants)

Limited, is primarily concerned with the supply of, and demand for, suitable repair docks capable of accommodating this increas- ingly important sector of the world merchant fleet.

The growth and development of the large carrier fleet over the last decade is analyzed by vessel type and size, as well as typical ves- sel dimensions, in each of these categories.

Future scheduled deliveries are similarly analyzed and reveal the trend towards beam- ier vessels. A comprehensive list of standar- ized specifications of tankers developed by the world's major shipyards is given in the

Appendix. The study also examines those vessels, such as containerships and gas car- riers, which because of their extreme length, also use large carrier repair docks.

The 65-page study then proceeds to analyze current and future drydocking demand and categorizes demand by scheduled and un- scheduled. Techniques and technologies to re-

MURRAY & STEWART (MARINE) (PTY,) LTD.

OCEAN ROAD, TABLE BAY HARBOUR

P.O. BOX 4854, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

TELEX 57-0817 SA 60 duce scheduled drydocking are discussed, and although afloat surveys which reduce the fre- quency of drydocking are beginning to be widely accepted by the classification so- cieties, there are other factors, such as per- formance guarantees in charter commit- ments, which are tending to work against drydocking minimization. Also discussed is the increasing demand for large repair docks for highly lucrative conversion work.

The supply of suitable drydocks is identi- fied, and the study reveals that there are about 80 drydocks in the world which are considered to meet the requirements of ac- commodating vessels of 50,000 dwt and above. Of these, 14 are suitable for accom- modating VLCCs. The size and location of these facilities are listed in the Appendix, as is the number of drydocks currently under construction. By 1977, it is estimated that there will be 100 such docks to service the large carrier fleet (i.e. vessels of 50,000 dwt and over), of which 25 will have dimensions exceeding 340 meters (about 1,116 feet) in length, and 60 meters (about 197 feet) in breadth, and may therefore be considered suitable for VLCCs. The trend away from traditional ship repairing areas is high- lighted, and also discussed are the large number of expansion plans which are cur- rently under consideration. There are esti- mated to be 30 such schemes, and these too are listed in the Appendix. In the opinion of

H.P. Drewry, it is concluded that fewer than half will actually materialize because of a variety of financial and political considera- tions. Also, those that do become a reality may well be somewhat different from current ideas.

U.S.A. Representative

FREDERICK A. GANTER

Marine Repair & Construction Corporation-International

Suite 1127 - 17 BATTERY PLACE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10004

TELEPHONE (212) 269-3170

TELEX 129247 MAREPCON NYK

The report concludes by examining repair and maintenance costs for different vessel types and sizes. Costs are calculated on a $ per dwt p.a. basis, and reveal the economies of scale associated with size. Also revealed are repair and maintenance differentials be- tween tankers and bulk carriers of similar size. Besides these direct costs to shipowners, the indirect costs of loss of revenue while the vessel is out of service are also estimated.

These costs, in a given freight market situ- ation, often exceed the direct cost of dry- docking and maintaining a vessel; this is particularly true of large vessels, and illu- strates why shipowners will not always dry- dock their vessels in the cheapest market— they are more concerned about the length of the docking than about the cost. This is why apparent high cost facilities are in con- stant demand. The report concludes by ex- amining recent escalation in repair and main- tenance costs in different parts of the world. "Repairing and Drydocking Large Car- riers," No. 23 in a series of shipping reports prepared by the Research Division of H.P.

Drewry (Shipping Consultants) Limited, •

Palladium House, 1-4 Argyll Street, London,

W1V IAD, England, is available on a sub- scription basis (£60 per ten consecutive re- ports) or at a single copy rate of £20.

Philadelphia Maritime Exchange

Publishes New Port Directory

The 1974-75 edition of The Philadelphia

Maritime Exchange Port Directory is on sale, according to H. Willis Jackson, Mari- time Exchange president. Copies of the com- prehensive guide to Ports of Philadelphia services and facilities can be obtained at $3 each by writing to The Philadelphia Mari- time Exchange, 620 Lafayette Building,

Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.

Continental Oil Discovers

Oil And Gas In China Sea

The Continental Oil Company recently re- ported that a subsidiary, and Pertamina, the

Indonesian State Oil Company, discovered gas and oil in an offshore exploratory well in the China Sea about 130 miles west of

Natuna Island. The company said further testing is needed to determine commercial significance. Other partners in the group are units of the Getty Oil Company and the

Standard Oil Company (Indiana),

Brochure On Towboat Power

Produced By Electro<-Motive

The Electro-Motive Division of General

Motors Corporation, La Grange, 111., has produced a new four-color brochure on tow- boat power. Describing a number of vessels included in the 3,000,000 shp that Electro-

Motive has placed in marine service since 1965, the booklet also contains the addresses of EMD Parts Centers,

Electro-Motive has a series of propulsion units available ranging in size from 850 to 3,500 shp continuous for single-screw boats and multiples thereof for twin- and triple- screw vessels—the latest towboat being a triple-screw vessel at 10,500 shp. These

EMD units are of standard design to sim- plify installation and maintenance.

For copies of the brochure, write to S.B.

Dowell, Manager, Marine Sales Department,

Electro-Motive Division, GMC, La Orange, 111. 60525.

Maritime Reporter/ Engineering News • THE MOST MODERN AND DIVERSIFIED

SHIP REPAIR FACILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA • TWO GRAVING DOCKS

STURROCK GRAVING DOCK

Length: 1,156 feet, Width: 136 feet,

Depth: 45 feet at sill

ROBINSON GRAVING DOCK

Length: 500 feet, Width: 68 feet, Depth: 27 feet • DOCKSIDE CRANES. LARGE FULLY EQUIPPED

MACHINE SHOP, (HEAVY DUTY 30 FOOT LATHE, VERTICAL

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REPAIRS AND/OR CONVERSIONS UNDERTAKEN. • WE FURNISH MOBILE SQUADS

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FOR SPEED AND RELIABILITY IN REPAIRS CALL MURRAY & STEWART FIRST