Greek Owner Docks Three with Gibdock
Piraeus-based Aegean Maritime Petroleum Network Inc. (AMPNI) has recently contracted Gibraltar yard Gibdock to carry out repairs to three of its vessels. The Aegean Princess, Halki and Nisyrus were all docked within the space of just over a month, underlining the yard’s growing success in attracting business from the Greek shipowner sector, based on quality of service, redelivery time and its location.
The 1991-built, 7,030dwt tanker Aegean Princess was drydocked on June 10 this year for a 10-day package of works. The most critical element of the project was a full overhaul and repairs to the vessel’s aft mooring winch. In addition Gibdock carried out work to the sea valves, engine coolers and anchor cable and carried out a full hull cleaning and paint job.
The sisterships Halki and Nisyrus, 6,270 dwt double hull bunker tankers built in 2011 and 2010 respectively, were both docked in July. Halki was drydocked for damage repairs to its bulbous bow and for hull washing, while Gibdock removed a damaged main engine block on Nisyrus and replaced this with a new one. At the same time the tanker’s sea valves were overhauled, the anchor cable refurbished and shipboard cranes tested. Finally the vessel received a full hull blasting, washing and painting job.
All three of the vessels operate in the Bay of Gibraltar and Andreas Papapostolou, fleet manager for the AMPNI division, Aegean Bunkering Services, said, “It was logical to select Gibdock for the work given its proximity to our business. There were cheaper options available, but we know Gibdock [can] deliver on time and carry out work to the proper standard.”
All three projects went smoothly and Andreas praised the constructive approach of the Gibdock management team. “Of course there were moments of tension during the course of each project, but they were all quickly resolved thanks to the good working relationship we have developed,” said Andreas. “We are happy with the end result and that is why we go back to Gibdock.”
AMPNI is an international marine fuel logistics company that markets and physically supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to ships in port and at sea. The company has a fleet of around 65 vessels, eight of which operate in and around Gibraltar. Other tankers in the company’s fleet provide services in Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Europe, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Morocco, The Canary Islands, Spain, Panama and Hong Kong. The company has also entered into a strategic alliance to extend its global reach to mainland China.
gibdock.com
