Keppel Cairncross Completes A Number Of Ship Repair Operations

Keppel Cairncross Shipyard Ltd., the Keppel Group's new joint venture in Brisbane, Australia, successfully carried out a number of afloat repairs.

Since April, five vessels have undergone significant repairs at the yard's fitting out berth. The largest among them is the 104,996-dwtAastralia Ocean, a crude carrier owned by Caltex Tanker Company, Australia. Keppel Cairncross, which took over operations of the Cairncross Drydock complex in March 1994, carried out fatigue repairs to the vessel's tank webb and frame as wel] as deck corrosion control.

The first vessel to be repaired ai Keppel Cairncross was the 101,609- dwt oil tanker Ampol Sarel, which underwent minor repairs and survey. The Brisbane-registeredAmpo/ Sarel is owned by Ampol Ltd., ar Australian-owned oil company. The vessel will be returning to the yard for a major refit on its accommodation and other repairs.

Keppel Cairncross is refurbishing the Cairncross Drydock, which has been closed since 1987. Leong Kang Chuen, managing director ol Keppel Cairncross, said, "We art working on reopening the drydock before the end of the year in order tc provide more comprehensive shij repair services for shipowners.' Expected to be operating by the enc of1994, the 864-ft. (263-m)by 105-ft (32-m) drydock can accommodate vessels of up to 85,000 dwt.