Heger Dry Dock
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- Heger Dry Dock Gets to Work on AFDM for U.S. Navy Maritime Reporter, Jan 2023 #32
Born in 1998 and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, Heger Dry Dock holds a unique position as one of the few engineering firms in the world dedicated to the design and lifecycle engineering of drydocks, primarily floating dry docks. Premal Shah, P.E., President and Principal Engineer, discussed some of the company’s recent contract wins with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News.
Specializing in the design and lifecycle maintenance of floating dry docks, Heger Dry Docks was founded 25 years ago, and still run today by one of its co-founders, Bob Heger. “We are experts in floating dry dock designs,” said Shah. “We're a design and engineering company and we deal with dry docks; about 90% of our work deals with floating dry docks.”
While all of its business is in the U.S., it has experience internationally, designing drydocks for customer that have had them built outside the country. “There is simply not enough capacity in the U.S. shipyards to build something large [like a drydock],” said Shah. “Most of the larger shipyards in the U.S. are busy building Navy ships, so they don't want to take time away from their workforce to build a one-off dry dock. So most of our large designs get built elsewhere outside of the U.S.”
While the capability to build the drydocks lies mostly outside of the U.S., Shah estimates there is a high demand for the units in the U.S., a “shortage of dry docks.” A strong driver recently has been the U.S. Navy and its shipyard infrastructure optimization program (SIOP), which is working to identify – and help alleviate – bottlenecks that it sees in the coming 20 to 30 years, particularly as it embarks on a substantial shipbuilding program through 2035.
“They've essentially started these massive programs, billions of dollars of funding allocated to the four main shipyards: Portsmouth Naval, Norfolk Naval, Puget Sound, and Pearl Harbor: and they're initiating all these efforts to build new dry docks,” said Shah.
While graving drydocks have a much longer life span, with units built in the 1920s and after still active, they represent mammoth civil engineering projects with similarly sized mammoth budgets in dollars and manpower. A floating drydock has a much more modest life-span – 50 years or more if properly maintain, but a similarly sized floating unit is much cheaper.
Photo courtesy Heger Drydock“The main driver is the cost. Let's say you're setting up a shipyard from ground zero and you want to invest in a dry dock that can lift a substantial capacity vessel,” said Shah. “A graving dry dock is 10 to 15 times more expensive than a floating dry dock. From a capital investment perspective, it makes more sense to have a floating dry dock.”
“I can't remember the last time anybody designed or built a graving dry dock for a commercial yard,” said Shah. “But the Navy, of course, can afford them, and they're looking for longevity.” He notes that most of the Navy yards do not operate a floating dry dock.
Depending on vessel size, there are other options to dry dock a vessel, with travel lifts, ship lifts and marine railways offering solutions. But if you are targeting vessels in your business model that are over 10,000 tons, “your only options are a floating dry dock or a graving dry dock,” said Shah.
Heger Dry Dock has a long list of projects and clients over the past 25 years, but a more recent contract to build a U.S. Navy asset, an Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), is keeping the company busy. Measuring 700 x 160 ft. with a lifting capacity of 18,000 long tons, the AFDM will be designed to accommodate destroyers, cruisers, the new LCS type vessels which are homeported in and around San Diego.
“There were a bunch of them [drydocks] built in the 1930s and 1940s, and there were some other smaller dry docks built in the 1960s,” said Shah. “But nobody has designed or built an AFDM or any kind of floating dry dock for the Navy in the past 40-plus years.”
Heger Dry Dock were recently awarded a new AFDM design project along with its design-build partner in Mobile Alabama, Austal USA. “So we're designing this AFDM, which is a significant project for us because nobody has done this in a few decades,” said Shah.
When built at Austal in Mobile, the AFDM will be located at the naval base in San Diego.
“Once it's all done, it will be a huge feather in our cap, because a privately held company has not designed a floating dock for the Navy in many decades,” said Shah.
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- Senesco Marine Christens New Drydock Maritime Reporter, Nov 2003 #29
of a key certification that has already significantly increased the company's repair business. The certification bestowed upon the Leslie G by Heger Dry Dock, Inc, of Holliston, Mass., now allows the shipyard to compete for valuable government repair contracts. The Leslie G is 255 ft. long with 82
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- Pontoon Deck Preservation for Floating Dry Docks Marine News, Apr 2016 #48
up to ¾” thick. In fact, it has been used to build up the thickness of steel plates to meet minimum thickness requirements. Bob Heger, President of Heger Dry Dock Engineering, referring to the CeRam-Kote product, said in January, “We recommend it to all of our customers.” Recently, the CeRam Kote system was
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January 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 33in the a graving dry dock for a commercial yard,” said Shah. “But past 40-plus years.” the Navy, of course, can afford them, and they’re looking for Heger Dry Dock were recently awarded a new AFDM de- longevity.” He notes that most of the Navy yards do not oper- sign project along with its design-build partner
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January 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 32SHIP REPAIR HEGER DRY DOCK GETS TO WORK ON AFDM FOR U.S. NAVY Born in 1998 and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, Heger Dry Dock holds a unique position as one of the few engineering ? rms in the world dedicated to the design and lifecycle engineering of drydocks, primarily ? oating dry docks.
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January 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 2Moving toward Ammonia 30 Ship Repair: Bayonne Dry Dock MAN Energy Solution’s Bjarne Foldager recently hosted MR in Copenhagen at the 32 Ship Repair: Heger Dry Dock R&D center for a look under the hood of the new ammonia engine. 38 Ballast Water Management By Greg Trauthwein 41 Tech Files: Ship Repair 42
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April 2016 - Marine News page: 49thickness of steel plates to meet minimum thickness coat times between coats as speci? ed by the manufacturer requirements. Bob Heger, President of Heger Dry Dock En- are critical for proper adhesion and curing. gineering, referring to the CeRam-Kote product, said in Jan- The fewer the number of coats required
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May 2000 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4th CoverConrad Industries, 1501 Front Street, P.O. Box 790, Morgan City, LA 70381 Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc, P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc., 13 Water St, Holliston, MA 01746 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT S.E.connecticut Ent, 190 Governor Winthop Blvd., New London, CT 06320
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July 2000 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62Conrad Industries, 1501 Front Street, P.O. Box 790, Morgan City, LA 70381 Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc., 13 Water St, Holliston, MA 01746 62 EDUCTORS Vita Motivator, 566 Parker St.. Newark, NJ 07104 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT L
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December 2000 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 66Marine, PO Box 86788, N. Vancouver B.C. Canada V7L 4L3 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc., 13 Water St., Holliston, MA 01746 EDUCTORS Vita Motivator, 566 Parker St., Newark, NJ 07104 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MMC Internatio
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December 2000 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 63, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers Pacific Bldg.. 720 3rd Ave. #1200 Phone: (206) 382-3949 Seattle. Washington 98104-1825 Fax: (206)382-2090 HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. i f 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications
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January 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 70WASHINGTON (703)548-4400 VIRGINIA BEACH (757)499-4125 PHILADELPHIA (609)772-0888 SAN DIEGO (619)425-4211 MARINE SYSTEMS • ANALYSIS & DESIGN HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications • Engineer/Di
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January 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62Marine, PO Box 86788, N. Vancouver B.C. Canada V7L 4L3 DRY DOCKS-Deslgn Crandall Dry Dock Enpneets Inc, P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engoieers. Inc, 13 Water St, Hdliston, MA 01746 EDUCTORS Vita Motivator. 566 Parker St. Newark. NJ 07104 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MMC International
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March 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 71Architects Marine, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers 9010 East Marginal Way South #300 Phone: 206-768-1515 Seattle, WA 98108 Fax: 206-768-9700 HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications • Engineer/Di
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March 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62Marine, PO Box 86768, N. Vancouver B.C. Canada V7L 4L3 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandali Dry Dock Engineers Inc, P.O. Box 505804. Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc, 13 Water St., Holliston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING ft AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018
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May 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 70605 First Avenue, No. 600 Seattle, WA 98104-2224 Phone: (2061624-7850 Fax: (206) 682-9117 CONSULTING ENGINEERS SERVING THE MARINE COMMUNITY HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. i f 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 . Engineering for all types of dry docks ^k • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications
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May 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62Marine, PO Box 86788, N. Vancouver B.C. Canada V7L 4L3 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc.. 13 Water St., Holliston. MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING & AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018
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July 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 70Marine. PO Box 86788, N. Vancouver B.C. Canada V7L 4L3 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc., 13 Water St., Holliston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING & AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018
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September 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 71Analyi Hvdrodvnamics Contract Admini^tratic Phone: (2041624-7850 Fox: (206| 602-9117 CONSULTING ENGINEERS SERVING THE MARINE COMMUNITY HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications • Engineer/Di
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September 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62DRIVES Aired Systems 2300 Oregon St Sherwood OR 97140 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc, P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea, MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers. Inc, 13 Water St., Houston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING A AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018 Belfort
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December 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 63ARCHITECTURE & MARINE ENGINEERING MARINE HVAC ENGINEERING MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING ENGINEERS SERVING THE MARINE COMMUNITY HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications • Engineer/Di
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December 2001 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 54DRIVES Allied Systems 2300 Oregon St Sherwood OR 97140 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804. Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc., 13 Water St., Hdliston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING A AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenea 90018 Belfort
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January 2002 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 66, contact R.J. Mellusi & Co., 71 Hudson Street, New York, N.Y. 10013, Tel. (212) 962-1590 Fax (212) 385-0920, E-mail rmellusi8idt.net.com HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. i f 4 I 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 Engineering for all types of dry docks • Design • Docking Calculations • Certificatio
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January 2002 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 57DRIVES Allied Systems 2300 Oregon St Sherwood OR 97140 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers. Inc.. 13 Water St.. Holliston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING & AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018 Belfort
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March 2002 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 62.net CUNNINGHAM & WALKI ^mjj . NAVAL ARCHITECTURE & MARINE ENGINEERING t *- MARINE HVAC ENGINEERING l\ A MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HEGER DRY DOCK, INC. i I 13 Water Street, Holliston, MA 01746 A Engineering for all types of dry docks ^k • Design • Docking Calculations • Certifications
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March 2002 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 54DRIVES Allied Systems 2300 Oregon St Sherwood OR 97140 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Dry Dock Engineers Inc.. P.O. Box 505804. Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers. Inc., 13 Water St., Holliston, MA 01746 DYNAMIC POSITIONING & AUTOMATION Alstom Power Conversion 3 Ave. Des Trois Chenes 90018 Belfort
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October 2002 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 55K-9s, Inc.,1500 Beviite Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 DRY DOCKS-Design Crandall Diy Dock Engineer Inc., P.O. Box 505804, Chelsea. MA 02150 Heger Dry Dock Engineers, Inc, 13 Water St., Houston, MA 01746 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT CaHenberg Equipment 2010 N. Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127 MMC international