rock newsAn eye on the future

spring 2015

2015 promises to be a year of action for Gibdock, with the business outlook positive and several exciting initiatives coming online. There are developments that will enhance

the facilities, strengthen Gibdock’s appeal as an employer and help grow industry talent for the future.

The first quarter has seen the yard busy attracting its usual high levels of seasonal ferry business, although this year a number of more substantial upgrade projects are being undertaken by owners on the back of a firm 2014 for the local ferry industry. We have again seen a high percentage of return customers, which is always an affirmation that we are delivering a quality product, on time and to budget and exceeding our customers’ expectations.

Although 2015 has not started so positively for the industry as a whole considering the effect oil prices have had on the offshore sector, there is no indication that this will have a negative impact on Gibdock’s business for this year. Gibdock has grown its offshore segment over the past few years. The yard’s location stands it in good stead to capitalise on greater demand for cost efficiency, offsetting any downturn. The strategic position of the yard in the Strait of Gibraltar means it can offer minimal deviation from designated routing, providing the most viable location for undertaking works.

Gibdock’s new Pad 1 facility, opened in April, is an area available for land-based fabrication to supplement and enhance dry docking business. Pad 1 adjoins the 435m long south mole waterfront, which has an 11m draft, and includes a load-out quay and draws on service craneage. The dimensions of Pad 1 are 70m x 42m with a 15m x 7m ramp.

An exciting diversification for the yard, Pad 1 will bring the opportunity to perform more pre-fabrication works, enhancing

project management capabilities. It will also facilitate the development of Gibdock as an OEM storage facility. We are very pleased that Caterpillar is the first supplier to partner with us in this new service, and we hope to add the other major suppliers in due course.

At Gibdock, our experience is that customers appreciate the investment we make in our workforce just as highly as they value new facilities and capabilities. 2015 began with several initiatives targeting workforce welfare for the long term. A company pension scheme was rolled out in January, for example, which is open to all employees after a qualifying period of 18 months continuous employment. Gibdock’s support of the biannual careers fair, run by the Gibraltar Education Department, was enhanced this year in line with the launch of the Gibdock Scholarship Programme. This is a new initiative to assist individuals to study at UK universities in the fields of marine engineering, naval architecture or mechanical engineering. With the selection process now underway, it is hoped that the first Gibdock-sponsored student will start university this September. The scheme, aimed at populating middle management and providing a route to project management and beyond, is complementary to Gibdock and the Government of Gibraltar’s already ongoing apprentice programmes.

The team at Gibdock is fully supportive of the development of local maritime talent and the commitment the yard has made in support of this goal. Constant innovation, in terms of both infrastructure and manpower at the yard, keeps Gibdock positioned to meet the evolving needs of our customers. We see a year ahead of exciting developments that will bring benefits far into the future.

Richard Beards, Managing Director

Gibdock’s new Pad 1 facility opened for business

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2015

rock news

Up close Onwards and upwardsGibdock has run an apprentice scheme for many years to aid the promotion of careers in the maritime industry. One current employee who joined Gibdock through the apprentice scheme is Anthony Mauro-Buhagiar, who says the programme kick-started his career at an early age.

“To be honest I didn’t know where I wanted to work as I was very young and taking such decisions at that stage in life is quite complicated and confusing,” he says, candidly. “After finishing my GCSE’s I decided I wanted to be an electrician so I did my electrical apprenticeship at Gibdock.”

Mauro-Buhagiar joined the electrical apprenticeship programme in 2006 and followed a rigorous four-year course. He successfully completed the programme, attained an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3, and was offered a trainee project manager role at the yard. He has now been with Gibdock for almost nine years and is currently a Trainee Ship Repair Manager.

“I think my apprenticeship was invaluable,” he says. “It allowed me to make my way to where I am now, and I am proud of that. Achieving my NVQ’s has enabled me to continue and extend my studies to a higher academic level and I have recently completed a Higher National Certificate in Marine Surveying (Machinery and Propulsions).”

His progression, from apprentice to manager, highlights how enthusiasm, diligence and commitment have been nurtured by Gibdock’s willingness to invest in professional development. Mauro-Buhagiar adds: “I think Gibdock is a very interesting place to work. The yard works to a very high set of standards and code of ethics, which is appreciated by clients from all over the world. Gibdock is also considered one of the best shipyards in Europe and the entire team is proud to be a part of this.”

Mauro-Buhagiar says he would recommend Gibdock to anyone who has an interest in Marine and Ship Repair because “working at Gibdock is the best example you will get.” He also considers Gibdock’s commitment to high standards of health and safety is “something every employee will look up to; it is important to know that you’re working in a safe environment and your employer values you.”

Now working towards a BSc in Engineering Management with the University of Lincoln, Mauro-Buhagiar is certainly eager to learn, progress and grow with the company.

Man of many talentsStephen Gordillo - QSHE Officer

Having multi-skilled staff is increasingly important in the competitive markets of the 21st century. Gibdock’s multi-talented QHSE Officer, Stephen Gordillo, is a good example of the benefits this approach can bring to a business - and its customers.

Stephen is responsible for health, safety and quality issues generally within the yard but, as a key member of the Gibdock team he also fulfils the important roles of Port Facility Security Officer and Ship Security Officer. In addition, Stephen is one of Gibdock’s approved Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulation Inspectors, a crane inspector, marine chemist, first aider and a forklift truck driver!

Stephen has been working at the Gibraltar shipyard, initially as a tank cleaner, since 1998. He held posts as storeman, labourer, painter, mechanic and pump controller before being given the opportunity to be part of the Health & Safety department in 2008. Stephen says: “I had no hesitation in accepting this change in role. Health and safety is something that was of great interest to me and I could see it was a way of furthering my career.”

Safety and quality are also elements that set Gibdock apart and give it a competitive advantage over other yards, Stephen believes. ”We have to listen to our customers, understand their challenges and provide solutions that ensure doing business with us is effortless and safe. We have to pursue excellence and strive for the highest standards and to be the best in our industry,” he suggests.

Gibdock has always had a strong commitment to education and training and Stephen has taken full advantage, embracing any training opportunities offered. Since 2008, he has completed more than 30 training courses and learning programmes, ranging from working in confined spaces, fire safety and environmental awareness, to first aid and crane inspection.

There is no sign that Stephen’s thirst for knowledge and professional development is easing off. He says: “One of my goals is to further my education and move into management. I want to develop leadership skills that inspire, promote excellence and achieve top results.” Anthony Mauro-Buhagiar - Trainee Ship Repair Manager

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2015

Close working relationships are key Gibdock maintains close working relationships with a number of key component suppliers. One of these is the US-based engine manufacturer Caterpillar Marine, which is also responsible for the popular MaK brand of engines.

The close working relationship between the two organisations was exemplified during repairs to the 9,200 dwt, 1984-built ro-ro vessel, Amirouche, which was repaired alongside in the Gibraltar yard from 20th September to 9th November last year.

During its stay of just over six weeks, Gibdock carried out a general overhaul of the MaK 8M552 main engine, refurbished one crankshaft pin and polished a total of eight crankshaft pins. Working closely with Caterpillar’s local distributor, Barlow Finanzauto, the yard supplied a number of spare parts required

by the owner, including a new cylinder head, four cylinder liners, eight connecting rod bearings and nine main bearings.

John Taylor, Operations Director, points out the fact that Caterpillar and its local agent have an office on-site at Gibdock helped greatly during this project. He adds: “Having them within the yard is a big advantage. It enables us to work very closely not just in preparing quotations for engine related work but also delivering the production side of the contract.”

The Algerian-owned Amirouche received other items of work during its visit to Gibdock. These included an in-water survey, an overhaul of the speed governor, booster and turbocharger, ultrasonic cleaning and pressure testing of the air cooler on the main engine.

Completing such an extensive package of work demonstrates the yard’s engine maintenance and repair capabilities and is expected to lead to more work for owners with MaK main engines in future.

One of the biggest jobs carried out by Gibdock in recent months involved what John Taylor, Operations Director, calls ‘a good old-fashioned ship repair’. The 133m long, 420 teu capacity Xpress Monte Rosa - originally built in Germany in 2004 and formerly trading as Palmira - arrived at Gibdock in late December 2014 and departed in early March. The nine week programme of repairs and upgrades significantly enhanced the condition of the vessel prior to a charter with Maersk Line within the Mediterranean feeder trades, where she is currently deployed.

The scope of work included an extensive amount of steel repairs. During the containership’s lengthy stay in the yard, Gibdock renewed a large damaged area on the bulbous bow, restored tank top areas and repaired seven ballast tanks. Cell guides in all three cargo holds were also repaired, and areas of the main deck and bulkheads renewed. In addition, the Gibdock ship repair team renewed ballast and fuel tank ventilation channels and installed 42m of new ventilation pipes.

Drydock repairs included hull blasting and painting; tail shaft repairs, with the propeller hub being removed and transferred to the manufacturer’s workshop; rudder removal, to enable access; and the repair and renewal of the vessel’s sea valves and anchor chains.

Gibdock also fabricated and installed new fuel lines to enable the conversion of the vessel to low sulphur marine gas oil; repaired hydraulic ballast valves; and overhauled the hydraulic hatch cover system. The team further completed pipework in the engine room, inspected and pressure tested the CO2 system, renewed the ballast tank sounding pipes,

repaired anchor winch brakes and accommodation ladders, and fabricated and installed a new protective cage around the forward mast.

John Taylor adds: “This was perhaps not the most technically complex job we have carried out, but it allowed us to showcase our traditional ship repair skills. The vessel left the yard looking as good as new, and we were very pleased to have been entrusted with this job, which we won against some stiff competition.”

Containership project shows off repair skills

Contract News

Containership, Xpress Monte Rosa, leaves Gibdock ‘as good as new’ after extensive ship repair works

rock news

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2015

For further information, please contact:Nicola Eyles, Head of Communications, JLA Media Ltd.e: nicola.eyles@j-l-a.comt: +44 (0) 208 405 6343m: +44 (0) 7535 698 417

Argan returned in good repairThe Danish-owned Wisby Argan, a 4,776 dwt chemical tanker presented the Gibdock team with one of their more challenging repair jobs when it visited the yard recently. The vessel, managed by Wisby Tankers AB, required repair works to collision damage sustained on the vessel’s port side. Ten tonnes of steel was needed to renew the damaged section of the port bow area. The vessel had further steel damage to its aft port side.

Anthony Mauro-Buhagiar, Trainee Ship Repair Manager, recalls: “The most complicated part of the project was the 10t damage to the bow where there was a lot of steel to crop and fabricate.”

A range of other work was also executed in conjunction with the collision damage steel repairs, including minor steel works carried out in line with classification requirements to the ballast tanks. The vessel’s main engine, turbo chargers and coolers all received an overhaul. The vessel’s hull was also washed, blasted and painted, with tailshaft clearances and seal bonding duly completed. Sacrificial and cathodic anodes were replaced accordingly. All pressure valves were dismounted and overhauled. The forward windlass winch was also disconnected and overhauled.

The yard carried out load testing of all the lifting equipment on Wisby Argan, such as cranes and lifeboats. The electrical systems were also tested as a class requirement, and the main circuit breakers and switchboard were cleaned. Inspection of the boiler and a special survey and ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM) of the hull was also performed.

Wisby Argan was at Gibdock for 12 days and as Mauro-Buhagiar points out: “The scope of work required was varied and broad. We had a very tight deadline to complete all the works and the scheduling of jobs was quite a challenge.” He concludes, “This was a really interesting project to be involved in and it was very satisfying to complete it to budget and meeting the tight timeline while always ensuring the high quality of our work.”

The Gibdock Netball Team.

The Gibraltar U16 National Basketball Team - 4th place finalists at the FIBA U16 European Championships, Division C, 2014.

The Gibraltar U18 National Basketball Team - silver medal winners at the FIBA U18 Europe Championship, Division C, 2014.

Gibdock lends support to local sporting talent

Collision damaged Wisby Argan presents no challenge to the

experienced team at Gibdock

Gibdock attends Gibraltar careers fair

Pictured (left to right): Anthony Mauro-Buhagiar, Trainee Ship Repair Manager, William Langtry, Production Manager, Vivien Chipolina, HR Manager, John Taylor, Operations Director, Richard Beards, Managing Director.