Rush Repair Ensures On-time Sailing

2009-7-6


The chartered general cargo vessel, "Kent Timber", entered COSCO Shanghai Shipyard on the 19th April, with only ten days available for its repair. The ship owner was quite anxious as to whether or not the blasting and painting work for the 4 tanks (about 8,000 square meters) could be completed in the available time. If the yard failed to complete the repair work in the available time, the ship owner would face risking default according to the charter party.

"Kent Timber" docked on the 22nd April with the clock already ticking. The hull blasting work commenced that night and was scheduled to be completed before the next morning. The schedule needed to be adapted quickly due to rain being forecast. As a result, all the blast workers took turns in blasting to ensure the blasting work was completed before the rain. Just after the rain, 3 coating teams quickly started cleaning, drying and painting in the 4 tanks. After 10 hours of painting, all of the staging was quickly removed and further, 500 tonnes of waste sand was cleared away.

On the 27th April, one day ahead of schedule, all the repair work was successfully completed, ensuring the "Kent Timber" could meet her charter party requirements. COSCO Shipyard