MSE Enters LNG Repair Business

In line with the changing business pattern in the ship repair industry and new business opportunities in the fast growing fleet of lng carriers around the world, Malaysia’s Malaysia Shipyard & Engineering (MSE) has entered the lng repair business. The yard has demonstrated its ability to innovate, reposition and transform itself to cater to this specialised niche market and shown its commitment by investing substantially to build up lng repair capabilities and facilities. As part of a drive to enhance capability and expertise in the repair of lng carriers, MSE has entered into a Technical Service Agreement on October 15th 2002 with Gaz Transport Technigaz (GTT).

MSE’s has recently set up a dedicated cryogenic workshop for refurbishment and repairs of lng cryogenic equipment such as cargo pumps, pipes and valves. The cryogenic workshop is air-conditioned and fully equipped with specialised tools, equipments, testing kits and specific work procedures and manned by highly trained Engineers and Technicians.

MSE has also set-up an invar-welding workshop for continuous training of selected welders and maintaining their unique skills. Their dedicated lng team has also successfully designed a prototype portable global test control room (GTCR) for hook-up onboard lng carrier at the yard or at any port required by the owners. A dedicated storage area for lng equipment with proper temperature and humidity control and outlining the handling and preservation instructions is also in place.

During October, MSE redelivered the lng carrier 86,205 grt Puteri Firus after a full scale drydocking operation. The vessel is one of the Puteri series with No. 96 membrane type cargo containment system. This is the first time the 130,000 m3 lng tanker is drydocked outside of Japan. The 2nd Special Survey and drydocking included opening of liquid and gas domes into the cargo containment system. Surveys included removal and overhauling of the cryogenic Ebara pumps, cryogenic Bernard valves, Cryostar gas compressors, global test with yard’s own proto-type global test control equipment. Test of containment system included full global test. 12 days after arrival, custody transfer measurement system was inspected by the gas-buyers and cargo tanks were promptly closed-up.

Others major works completed within the well-controlled drydocking schedule were the Kawasaki Steam Turbine & Foster Wheeler ESD III Boilers and the hydroblasting of to 35,000 psi prior painting of the truck-deck void space (2,700 m2 at 35,000 psi).

Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of MSE Wan Yusoff Wan Hamat said “We want MSE to be a global player in the LNG ship repair business. The resounding success of drydocking and repair of “Puteri Firus” is the start to the transformation.”