rock newsPartnership of equals

spring 2013

With times remaining challenging for ship repairers everywhere, it is encouraging to communicate that Gibdock continues to achieve growth in the cruise and

specialised vessel markets and hold its own in merchant ship and ferry sectors where there is little if any growth at all.

As an executive partnership, we are delighted to be entrusted with the management of Gibdock at what is an exciting time in the yard, with carefully laid investment plans to capitalize on real market opportunities in oil and gas coming to fruition.

Many of you who work with Gibdock already know us well as individuals. Now, as a management partnership, we look forward jointly to consolidating our reputation for quality, based on working as a team, an approach at ‘the top’ of the company that will be reflected in every aspect of the organization. We will bring the same ethos of working as a team to the new and challenging markets we expect to produce growth as we have to the markets where we continue to enjoy such a high volume of repeat business.

As ever, our key advantages revolve around our strategic location and our ability to deliver ships back to owners on time and to excellent standards. Building on these attributes demands a

Ready to build – Gibdock’s new fabrication pad

Richard Beards, Managing Director and John Taylor, Operations Director, Gibdock

willingness to invest strategically in growth markets. As reported elsewhere (p2), our new fabrication ‘pad’ is now complete, giving us the ability to bid against a wider variety of jobs in the oil and gas sector. This initiative comes against a backdrop of strong encouragement from repeat business in one of our core activities in the offshore support vessel and seismic ship repair and conversion sector, and a major new offshore support customer reference anticipated before the end of June.

This major step forward in our developing oil and gas ambitions is tightly coordinated with our day-to-day business; seasonally, this is a period of high dock occupancy at Gibdock with our regular ferry maintenance and repair work in full swing. This year, the months ahead are also promising for further work in the high-end passenger vessel market. We expect the return of some familiar luxury cruise ship visitors in the second and third quarter

In making this strategic move, we have not lost focus on the need for continuous investment in our existing equipment and expertise, the latter demonstrated by being selected for one of the first commercial applications of a new coating from Jotun (p3). As managing partners, we will work to ensure existing customers receive the care and attention for which we are renowned, and to bring the reputation we have earned to a wider audience.

Richard Beards Managing Director

John TaylorOperations Director

Offshore News

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2013

rock news

Geared up for Oil and Gas workGibdock has passed a significant milestone in its strategic drive to attract Oil and Gas work, following completion of its first assembly pad (Pad 1).

The new fabrication pad is a custom-designed assembly area with optimally positioned piles and pile caps for the construction and assembly of medium sized packages for the oil industry. It includes a load-out quay and draws on service craneage. Pad 1, the first of two fabrication pads envisaged, adjoins the 400m long ‘South Mole’ waterfront, with its ample 12m draft to accommodate semi-submersibles, which has been cleared for dedicated Semi-sub/FPSO/drilling unit work.

“The last two years have seen more and increasingly complex specialised offshore vessel projects through Gibdock, including a series of returning well-known offshore industry customers,” says Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director. “We have also been encouraged by the feedback following our work on the Semi-sub platform Etesco Millennium in 2012. That demanding project showcased our versatility and professionalism and demonstrated to us that the South Mole site will be very attractive to the oil industry.”

Initially, Gibdock is focusing on Mediterranean and North African projects, but the yard is attracting interest from operators serving West Africa and offers a viable alternative for North Sea projects.

“We will establish our credentials by targeting straightforward packages, pre-assembled units and structural work before we start bidding on major fixed platform jobs,” says Mr Beards. In the near future, Gibdock plans to be bidding direct to exploration, production and contracting parties for complete module and well-head deck jobs.

Gibdock has invested in fabrication capability to address opportunities in the oil and gas sector

Profile: John Taylor John Taylor’s promotion to the position of Operations Director is a fitting career high for a man whose entire working life is linked to Gibraltar’s shiprepair activities.

John started his career in 1976 as a special grade shipwright apprentice at what was HM Naval Dockyard Gibraltar. Subsequently he worked as a tradesman in various departments before taking his first managerial role in the commercial side of the yard in 1986.

When the yard re-opened after a brief closure in 1991 he was engaged by Kvaerner, the new owner, as a steel foreman before moving into senior management positions including postings in Norway and the UK. He returned to Gibraltar in 2000, at which time the yard was branded Cammell Laird Gibraltar Ltd, initially as Shiprepair Manager, before being promoted to Production Manager. After the yard was rechristened Gibdock in 2009, John became Production Director.

John Taylor - Appointed Operations Director

Never one to shy away from a fresh challenge as his career record shows, John relishes his new role. “I am looking forward to learning new things and I can see that every day will bring an exciting new challenge,” he says. “I am also looking forward to bringing my years of experience to different areas of the business and to helping take the yard to a new and higher level, continuing the success we have achieved over the past few years.

“Security and QHSE will come under my new remit and I will also be more involved in commercial and financial matters. I will have a much broader spread of responsibilities and this fits in with my belief that tackling new challenges is the ideal way of sustaining enthusiasm.”

However, one thing is for sure: John will not lose sight of the production activities that have been central to his career to date. He intends to continue exploiting his production expertise to the full. “The production side of things is crucial to our success,” he says. “It is through ensuring smooth day to day operations that we convince customers to return to Gibdock. Customers expect high quality and on time delivery and achieving that will remain my focus.”

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2013

Seismic shift

Our growing reputation in the specialised offshore vessel market has been confirmed by the return of client WesternGeco, this time for a major refit involving the ultra-modern seismic vessel WG Cook.

The 19-day project was completed on time and within budget in preparation for WG Cook’s deployment offshore Canada for geophysical survey work.

Mick Richardson, WesternGeco Fleet Technical Manager, says: “The project was awarded on a competitive tender basis, while the location of the yard is also favourable for this project. However, our return to Gibdock also reflects our preference for teamwork based on forward planning and our requirement for a strong commitment to QHSE. We were also pleased with Gibdock’s preparation and pre-fabrication work.”

Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director, says that the WG Cook project falls firmly in line with Gibdock’s strategy to work in long-term relationships with ‘best in class’ clients. “As well as delivering high quality work on a high-value vessel, this kind of project relies on transparency at the planning stage. This means final costs match estimates provided.”

Mr Beards says the close coordination between Gibdock’s commercial and production departments proved pivotal to the project’s successful execution, citing the key roles played in the Gibdock team by Estimator Carlos Anastacio and WG Cook Project Manager Filip Tsankov.

“The WG Cook included a lot of work on hydraulics; skills available in this trade were a particular focus, with our management, the yard and subcontractors working as a close-knit team,” says Mr Richardson.

Contract News

Prevention better than cureShipyard safety is a critical consideration at Gibdock, and advanced technology continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the attention to detail we pride ourselves on. This year’s regular inspection and maintenance of all the steel cables on cranes saw us once more working alongside Gijón-based Auxinosa, whose expertise in inspection work draws on its experience in mining.

According to Auxinosa Commercial Director, Saturnino Bernedo Garcia: “The design of the inspection and greasing equipment allows us to work ‘from a distance’, even on areas of the cable which are not accessible from any part of the crane.”

John Taylor, Operations Director says: “This is an important part of the safety work we do as a crane cable failure can have serious consequences. Working with Auxinosa we are able to find any damage or deterioration which is not necessarily visible to the naked eye and take action before it becomes critical, saving cost, and incidents of crane downtime reduced.”

Ready for new Jotun coatingNorwegian marine coatings firm Jotun is one of Gibdock’s longest serving partner contractors, having worked with the shipyard

since 1985. “We have been collaborating with Gibdock ever since they started,” says Charles Alvarez, Jotun’s Regional Coatings Advisor.

“Gibdock is a good location to carry out hull coating work because of the favourable weather conditions, with the additional advantage of its retractable cover, which means work can continue even if the weather is unfavourable. The relationship between the yard and Jotun has always been excellent, as both companies are committed to serving shipowners and getting a good job done in terms of quality and cost.”

In March this year, Jotun launched SeaLion Resilient, a high performance marine coating based on epoxy-polysiloxane technology. This is formulated to reduce mechanical damage and cut time spent in dock, resulting in significant savings related to maintenance and repair.

“I look forward to seeing the first SeaLion Resilient project in Gibraltar,” says Charles.

Jotun has been working in partnership with Gibdock

since 1985

Ready for redelivery on schedule and on budget: WG Cook in Dock 1

rock news

All change at Seven SistersWhile a central location is often sought after, even the ‘greenest’ city shipyard can expect few plaudits for its environmental efforts. This is why we take particular pride in our role in cleaning up the Seven Sisters shoreline, in support of the ‘Clean up the World’ campaign.

The ‘Clean up the World’ campaign has been inspiring participants around the globe for a decade, mobilising around 35 million volunteers from 130 countries annually, and allowing local communities to take action that has a direct impact on the environments they inhabit. Gibdock was only too happy to provide sacks and skip-lifting capability in support of volunteers coordinated by Master Services, who worked tirelessly to remove rubbish from the Seven Sisters beach.

The lengthy project began with the removal of the harmful plastics and other non-biodegradable debris that are lethal to birds and sea life. Volunteers were also permitted access to the yard’s seawall to inspect the amount of materials washing up along the shoreline.

Between 60 to 70 tons of domestic waste, timber, metalwork and construction materials was cleared from various locations in Gibraltar as part of the clean up, including underwater sites and coastal areas. The MoD and Gibraltar Regiment collected a further 4 to 5 tons of timber from the cliffs.

“We are delighted to have been part of a project that brings together businesses, community groups, schools, governments and individuals in a range of activities and programs that positively improve local environments,” says Gibdock Operations Director John Taylor, who oversaw delivery of supporting Gibdock efforts. “For Gibdock, it is vital that our location in the heart of the city is matched by our efforts to meet our social responsibilities.”

‘Clean up the World’ – a matter of social responsibility

Dedicated to ownersGibdock recently completed work on a new offi ce for superintendents acting on behalf of owners. The lockable area is wi-fi connected area and has its own kitchen and washroom facilities, providing owner representatives with their own dedicated space. As with any initiative we undertake, our fi rst consideration is responsiveness to customer requirements.

Gibdock newsletter • Spring 2013

For further information, please contact:Hugh O’Mahony, Director; PR, JLA Media Ltde: hugh.omahony@j-l-a.comt: +44 (0) 208 405 6343m: +44 (0)794 970 8679

Nor-Shipping opportunity

Gibdock will have a high profi le presence at the international shipping conference and exhibition, Nor-Shipping, which takes place at Lillestrom, from June 4 to 7th. Supported by local agent, Storm & Bull Shipping A/S, senior Gibdock management will be available at stand DO4-22 to welcome clients and friends.

Storm & Bull general manager, Thomas Ness says: “We are looking forward to introducing Gibdock to new customers and also to strengthening existing relationships through face-to-face contact. Nor-Shipping is an ideal place for Gibdock to build on its already well-respected position in the high end sector, including seismic survey vessels and offshore support ships, where Norwegian owners have a signifi cant presence.”

In the two years since the industry last gathered for Nor-Shipping, Gibdock has handled a number of offshore and seismic ships for Norwegian owners and has consolidated its reputation as one of the leading European repair yards of choice in this sector. Another notable contract from a Norwegian owner active in this fi eld has already been secured for the fi rst half of 2013.

“A leading Norwegian seismic survey company has given Gibdock one of its highest ratings, based on extensive vetting and the evaluation of key performance indicators,” says Thomas. “The fact that it is rated above many of its competitors refl ects the high quality of the work, good management, the ability to accept changes to jobs and the on-time delivery that Gibdock consistently achieves. Vessels of this type can command very high daily charter rates and so any delays to drydocking can be very costly indeed.

“In our experience, Gibdock is a very reliable yard and we are proud to represent them. Gibdock has proved its professionalism time and time again and has built an excellent reputation among Nordic owners.”