Sembawang Shipyard Modifies Barges Converted From Tankers

One of the most interesting and extensive jobs successfully accomplished by Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore, was the recent modification and conversion of Majmaa No. 1 and No. 2 for the Dubai Petroleum Company.

Majmaa No. 1, a 39,850-dwt floating storage barge, with a capacity of 295,000 barrels of crude oil, was converted from the tank and bow sections of the former M/T Mildred Ann Brovig. Conversion to a barge was carried out by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, West Germany, in November 1968.

Converted from the tank and bow sections of the former tanker S/T A1 Malik Saud A1 Awal, the 47,330-dwt Majmaa No. 2 is capable of accommodating 350,000 barrels of crude oil. She was converted to a barge in December 1968 by Societe des Ancien Establissments Groignard, Marseilles, France.

Moored together with Majmaa No. 1 in Dubai since 1969, Majmaa No. 2 has been operating as an unmanned floating crude oil storage barge.

On arrival at Sembawang, both the barges were fully stripped of existing redundant machinery, electrical installations and piping.

The major modification and conversion of the barges required the yard's special attention and emphasized the versatility of the various trades involved.

Following extensive blasting, work commenced on the conversion of existing machinery space located portside of the forecastle main deck to three new compartments, one being air-conditioned. Additional compartments were formed by installing new longitudinal and transverse bulkheads. Each compartment was fitted out to the owners and classification requirements.

New structural modifications to midship pumprooms involved the construction of intermediate decks, which were erected at fore and aft ends to suit existing corrugated transverse bulkheads. Fire monitor platforms were also fabricated and installed.

While work progressed in other areas, all cargo tank watertight bulkheads were surveyed and hose-tested for leaks, resulting in the renewal of 100 tons of steel.

New 300-kVa transformers, 75-kw generator sets, fire and bilge pumps, air compressors and associated machinery were installed. A complete ventilation system was fabricated and fitted throughout both barges.

New fire detection and halon extinguishing systems were installed in the switchgear rooms, generator rooms, forward pumprooms, battery rooms, midship pumprooms, and cargo manifold rooms of both the barges.

All piping systems were either hydrotested or dry air-tested on completion of installation.

Lagging and insulation to pipe systems and machinery were renewed.

Other work included overhaul of fire pumps, stripping valves, helidecks, ladder and catwalks, and intermediate deck cranes.

Despite the complicated nature of the work during the course of modification and conversion, Sembawang met the completion date and Majmaa No. 1 and No. 2 left in October to resume operations.

Other stories from June 1977 issue

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