Better paint, fewer dry dockings

Better paint, fewer dry dockings    Classification societies and some flag states are allowing ship owners to extend the period between dry dock inspections from five to seven-and-a-half years because of the better hull coating systems available for ships.
   In March, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and A.P. M'ller – M'rsk agreed to extend out-of-water dry docking periods for eligible vessels. The initial agreement signed covers 14 Maersk Line containerships. It was initiated under a pilot program approved by the Danish Maritime Authority wherein vessels may undergo two underwater examinations before the traditional out-of-water dry dock inspection is required.
   ABS said the pilot program, also approved by the Singapore and U.K. maritime administrations, imposes strict requirements for eligibility and ongoing maintenance for vessels to be accepted into and retained within the program. Entry into the program is restricted to vessels that are less than five years old and the provision expires once the vessel reaches 15 years of age. It requires manufacturer guarantees that the underwater coatings used are designed to last for the extended period, the implementation of an active condition monitoring and preventative maintenance program and the application of a structured hull inspection system.
   Germanischer Lloyd also said it has introduced an “extended dry docking option ' to acknowledge longer lasting coatings. Owners and operators of container, general cargo, and multipurpose dry cargo vessels to extend the period between dry dock inspections from five to seven-and-a-half years.
   “This option provides maximum scheduling flexibility while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. Owners who previously would have had to look for an available dry-docking facility each five years can now have their ship inspected at dock-side,” the classification society said. “While the extended dry docking offers tremendous flexibility and savings in positioning and docking costs, it also reduces the off-hire times and allows owners to bring additional scheduling options to the table during charter party negotiations.”
   “We are convinced that owners who implement the current technological options, and who maintain a stringent planned maintenance program, can take advantage without undermining quality or safety,” said Matthias Galle, Germanischer Lloyd's vice president for classification and technical matters. “Our discussions with the Liberian, Marshall Islands, Antiguan and Singaporean flag states, as well as with the German maritime authority BG Verkehr, formerly SBG (See-Berufsgenossenschaft), indicate that, with some reservations, they are in general agreement on this point.”
   Only ships meeting GL’s entry requirements are allowed into the program. These requirements include flag state program approval and the fitting out of the ship with GL class notation IW (in-water). All ships must have a GL-approved planned maintenance system for the hull as well as for machinery. In addition, the ship must be fitted with a shaft bearing and sealing system of approved design with implementation of regular monitoring procedures. ' Chris Dupin