Gibdock Wraps Up Repair Work for Grimaldi

The Grande Angola left Gibdock on Tuesday following the on-time completion of a scheduled package of repair works, the shipyard reported. The project covered work on the second vessel in a two-vessel contract between Gibdock and Grimaldi Group, the multinational logistics group specialized in the operation of roll-on/roll-off vessels, car carriers and ferries.

The 26,881dwt ro-ro multipurpose vessel, built in 2008, underwent a full hull blasting and new silicone application. In total, a surface area of approx. 9,000m2 was renewed, including additional spot blasting to the topsides, cranes, accommodation block and ramp. Gibdock employs the latest equipment and best available techniques in the application of marine coatings, including the use of environmentally-friendly, wet-grit blasting. The yard also benefits from a climatic advantage, with year-round temperate weather minimizing downtime for vessels undergoing coating work.

While the coating renewal formed the critical path work, concurrent maintenance was carried out to the vessel’s ramp, sea valves, rudder, while hot-dip galvanized large diameter pipe work was replaced. Around 5.5 tons of steelwork was performed with the addition of doublers to the anchor pockets.

Sister vessel Repubblica del Brasile visited the yard in July. Built in 1998, the 23,882dwt ro-ro multipurpose vessel also underwent full blasting and silicone application. The project also covered the splitting of the ramp and replacement of the main bearings, pipe work renewal and replacement of around 4.5 tons of steelwork to the vessel’s tanks.