Unexpected hull damage often puts shipowners under pressure to act quickly, with drydocking frequently seen as the only viable option. Recently Hydrex once again showed how a class-approved permanent insert repair can be executed efficiently while a vessel remains in port. This avoided unnecessary delays and kept operations on track.
One of the company’s repair teams was mobilized to the port of Rotterdam to carry out a permanent steel repair inside a starboard side bilge holding tank of a supply vessel. All work was performed in close coordination with the vessel’s representatives and the attending classification society surveyor.
Safe access and full structural assessment
To allow safe and controlled access to the damaged area, a cofferdam was installed on the outside of the hull. Following this, the existing sandwich plate material was carefully removed, exposing the underlying structure between frames 17 and 21.
With the affected area fully accessible, the diver/technicians conducted a detailed inspection of the internal structure. The findings were reviewed during an onboard meeting attended by the ship’s representatives and the classification surveyor. Based on this assessment, class approval was given for the installation of a new steel insert plate.
Class-approved permanent steel repair
Following approval, a round insert plate with a diameter of 200 mm was installed and fully welded in accordance with class requirements and Hydrex’s own quality standards. All welding operations were carried out under controlled conditions, ensuring full structural integrity and long-term reliability of the repair.
The permanent insert repair was completed successfully within the planned timeframe, without the need for additional yard facilities or extended off-hire periods.
A practical alternative to drydocking
Because Hydrex completed this permanent hull repair while the vessel remained in port, the owner avoided the disruption, cost, and scheduling challenges associated with an unexpected drydock visit. The vessel was able to continue its schedule fully compliant with class requirements.
This project highlights how Hydrex’s expertise in steel repairs, combined with close cooperation with classification societies, enables ship owners to resolve structural issues efficiently and without interrupting normal operations.
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