Colombo Dockyard Sets Up New “afloat Repair Unit” To Cater To The Increasing Demand

Oct. 12, 2010 - PRLog -- Colombo Dockyard PLC, (CDPLC) the leading ship repair service provider in the island, has already placed in motion the necessary ground work to set up a new unit to handle the afloat repairs that call Colombo.
The services provided by this unit will fill the gap of professional afloat repairs required by many international callers touching many ports of Sri Lanka, mainly Colombo. This ultimate aim of this strategy is to facilitate professional afloat repairs with minimal down time at reasonable price.  
We have already started discussions with globally represented marine service providers to partner with CDPLC to provide the best afloat repairs in the region. The service providers such as WARTSILA, MAN B&W, YANMAR, ABB, CUMMINS, AQUAMASTER, CATERPILLAR and HYDREX are expected to be sourced when providing the final service to the client.
The value proposition in this equation will be to offer a superior afloat repair package that is world class and fast at one of the most strategic locations in the marine map. The reliability of the service will be coupled with the spare part back up from the OEM (original Equipment manufacturer) and Colombo Dockyard PLC supply network.
The unit will be headed by Mr. Mahesh Hettige – Assistant General Manager (Afloat Repairs) who has vast experience in the ship repair sector with Colombo Dockyard PLC for over 25 years, he will be ably supported by the yards production teams for execution of the jobs.  
This strategic decision to move aggressively into this un-tapped market, has been as a result of the positive developments within the country, return to normalcy away from war disturbed environment, lifting of all travel advisories, where the ship owner will look at Sri Lanka positively for their voyage and emergency repair requirements.
These positive developments have increased the vessel traffic to Colombo and opened some of the best marine locations such as Trincomalee for commercial operations, giving the repair providers a platform to operate.

One of the first vessels to be handled under this newly formed unit for emergency repairs is a massive container carrier MV. Maresk Wisconsin (DWT 61,999 LOA 292.08 / BEAM 32.25) owned by Maersk Line, Limited, USA. The massive vessel was accommodated at SLPA berth during which period required shell plates and internal frames were renewed. The work was handled on priority basis and the repairs were completed in 4 days. The job was completed meeting owners and classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The attending superintendent Mr. Dipak Naidu Marine Consultant was happy with the approach of the yard and the speed of service.

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Colombo Dockyard PLC is the island's leading Ship repair, Shipbuilding and Heavy Engineering facility, conveniently located inside the very Port of Colombo operates 4 graving dry-docks with a maximum capacity of 125,000 Dwt.