dockwiser june 2008

Nº3 SPRING 2008 dockwise.com

OslO stOck ExchangEDockwise officially listed 2

WDOck ISER

OnE OFDOckwisE’s cOrE valuEs rEliability Page 20

i

DOcksPEcial: rEMarkablE PrOJEcts Page 28

Length: 225 m

Width: 63 m

Capacity: 76,061 tons

BLUE MARLIN

The world's largest heavy transport carrier Blue Marlin is able to carry ultra large heavy cargoes.

173 m

40 m

34,030 tons

Responsible for the longest trip made until today: 14,675 nautical miles, from South Korea to Nigeria.

TRANSSHELF

Length: 181 m

Width: 32 m


TERN TERN

SWAN

TEAL TEAL

SWIFT All vessels can carry heavy cargo up to 25,000 tons on their 126.8 by 31.6 metre deck. They can submerge to load and discharge cargo by means of the float-on/ float-off method. Roll-on/roll-off, skid-on/skid-off and lift-on/lift-off procedures - or any of these methods - can also be employed.

Length: 139 m

Width: 32 m


169 m

32 m

17,600 tons

Modifications included dock-type sidewalls for additional cargo safety.

SUPER SERVANT 4 SUPER SERVANT 3

Super Servant 3 and 4, two open-deck heavy transport vessels, have been modified to serve as yacht carriers.

Length: 159 m

Width: 32 m


159 m

24 m

13,110 tons

The Dock Express 12 has a cargo dock with a 8-metre- high side wall, ensuring safe transport of yachts.

158 m

29 m

8,727 tons

The semi-submersible dock-type carrier Enterprise has a cargo dock with 9.55 metre high side walls.

DOCK EXPRESS 12 DOCK EXPRESS 10 ENTERPRISE

This vessel is equipped with special loading and discharging facilities such as roll-on/roll-off jack bogies and fork-lift outriggers for quayside load-outs.

Swan

Mighty servant 3

Black marlin

Yacht express

TRIUMPH

TRUSTEE

TALISMAN

TREASURE

To be converted in 2008 and 2009.

Dock express 10

Transshelf

218 m

42 m

57,021 tons

The large open cargo deck makes the vessels ideally suited to transport large and oversized cargoes.

BLACK MARLIN

190 m

50 m

40,190 tons

Last year the MS1 pumped 1.46 billion liters of water in and out of its ballast tanks while loading and discharging.

MIGHTY SERVANT 1

Blue marlin

YACHT EXPRESS

209 m

16,250 tons

The largest vessel of its kind in the world, Yacht Express was purpose-built with a semi-submersible dock bay.

32 m

159 m

31 m

10,763 tons

The Explorer has been converted into yacht carrier and is dedicated to transport yachts around the world.

EXPLORER

T-class type of vessel

Length: 217 m

Width: 45 m


These new heavy lift vessels, after the merge with Sealift, joined the fleet of Dockwise in 2007/2008.

TARGET

TRANSPORTER Length: 181 m

Width: 40 m


MIGHTY SERVANT 3

Scheduled to return to service by the end of 2008; the next cargo projects are already at her doorstep.

Open-deck vessels Dock-type vessels Yacht carriers

TYPE OF VESSELS

DOckWISER DOckWISER Page 3

Dockwise serves its clients with a fleet of 22 semi-submersible vessels of different types and designs, all of which are in top condition. 15 open-deck heavy transport vessels, from which 4 to be converted, 3 dock-type vessels, primarily used for transporting port and industry-related cargo and 4 vessels permanently deployed as luxury yacht carriers. Let us give you a brief presentation of our fleet.

DOckwisE PrOuDly PrEsEnts...

DOckWISER

FrOM THE CEOcOntEnts

nOblEcOrPOratiOnNoble Corporation is the world’s second largest offshore drilling contractor, and a client of Dockwise. A sneak preview of the ‘dry’ transport of Noble Jim Day semi-submersible rig to the Gulf of Mexico.

24

DOckwisE listing Marks

nEw bEginningCFO Malfliet: “It gives a company

a lot more transparency and visibility for clients, suppliers and investors,

as all the information about the company is publicly available.”

12

DOckSPECIALRemarkable projects:

Dockwise on a grand scale

28

cOnsiDEr it DOnE!Dockwise is to transport Muda, a huge, 20,000-ton production platform.“It is ferociously complex to transport a platform of this size and format safely.”18

EDitOrial 5

DOcknEws 6

Dyt suPPOrting intErnatiOnalsEakEEPErs sOciEty 42

nExt issuE 43

caPtain’s stOry 44

We take the load!This third edition of Dockwiser addresses one of the most important pillars ofour organisation: reliability. As a transport company of exceptionally heavyloads by sea for the maritime and Oil & Gas industry, we are responsible for the safety of many people, products and of course the environment. Over the years we have achieved a lot in these areas, certificates showing we do things right, cooperation with environmentalists such as the International SeaKeepers Society to track the conditions of seawater, and clients who put their trust in our maritime transport and engineering capabilities. This year Dockwise will deploy even more initiatives to increase the safety andreliability of everything we touch; loads and people. More security courses forour staff, more safety cases for fleet crews, more trained manpower in our Safety,Health, Environment & Security (SHES) department, and more and betterprotection onboard the fleet. Reliability is also an important issue when talking about stock rates. Our listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, something of which I am very proud, shows we have strengthened our position as a reliable partner in heavy maritime transport. A wonderful environment for our organisation as many similar companies are also listed here and analysts and investors know what our business is all about. The official listing crowned a remarkably busy year for our company. Have a look at some of our achievements of 2007 in the box. And last but not least it is important for a marketleader to prove what this core

value means to us, in everything we do. One occasion to do so will be the OTC in Houston which Dockwise will attend early May. We are in the middle

of preparations to show you what reliability means to one of our main business strategic opportunities; float-overs. Please come and visit us

and experience our ideas about reliability. The waves of change will pleasantly surprise you!

André GoedéeChief Executive Officer

HigHligHts • Revenue increased 15% to UsD 290 million (UsD 252 million in 2006).

• Milestone projects executed successfully: for example installation of gX deck offshore

Nigeria, transport of 3 jack-up rigs on the same voyage, transport of a 6th generation

semi-submersible rig and transport of the tahiti sPAR, the largest sPAR ever.

• Adjusted EBitDA increased 39% to UsD 141 million (UsD 102 million in 2006).

• Adjusted EBitDA margin increased to 45% (40% in 2006).

• total CAPEX of UsD 908 million including the acquisition of sealift, OKi and ODl.

• listing on OtC market in Oslo on 4 May 2007 followed by a full listing on

the Oslo stock Exchange on 2 October 2007.

• Expansion of operational fleet with three vessels in 2007.

Delivery of five more vessels (incl. Ms3) to be expected during the course of 2008.

• total order backlog of Dockwise Heavy lift (DHl) projects of UsD 233 million

(YtD Q3 2007 UsD 224 million).

• For 2008, management expects revenue, including Ms3 contribution, to be around

UsD 500 million. Expected Adjusted EBitDA margin broadly in line with 2007.

DOckWISER Page 5

cOrE valuEs

Part 2: reliablity

20


DOcknEWS

What projects are you working on at the moment? “Preparations for the transport of a SPAR buoy. It will be shipped on Mighty Servant 1, a submersible that is ideal for our heavy cargoes. The buoy will be loaded in Finland and unloaded in the US Gulf near Corpus Christi, where other companies will actually install it at sea. They will pump it up and make sure it is vertical instead of hori-zontal after which the so-called top sides, usually living and production units, will be secured in place. This is no piece of cake, we are dealing with a monster here that is 175 metres long, has a cross section of 36 metres and weighs about 21,000 tons.”

MAY 5-8, 2008

HOUstON, UsAOtC 2008

the 2008 Offshore technology Conference will be

held at Reliant Center in Houston, texas, UsA. it is

the premier offshore industry event for professionals,

service industries and suppliers to gather and discuss

common issues of ocean resource development. technolo-

gical innovations and forums on economic, social, and

political aspects of resource development and environ-

mental protection have been the mainstay of this world-

wide conference. More information on page 8+9

www.otcnet.org

sEPtEMBER 15-18, 2008

RiO DE JANEiRO, BRAzil

www.ibp.org.br

harry hOncOOPagE: 49POsitiOn: sEniOr caD OPEratOr at DOckwisE sincE 1994

With Computer Aided Design (CAD) laymen tend to think of design. Does this also apply to you? “At Dockwise a CAD Operator does not design only. He has to collect all data required to carry out a transport assignment and lay down in two and three dimensional drafts how that cargo must be positioned on board and transported. In consultation with company Engineers responsible for calculating all the forces and acceptable speeds at sea and so on, the CAD Operator prepares such things as load/unload plan, support plan and sea-fastening plan. He also verifies whether sufficient equipment is available onboard to secure and support the cargo. For each transport project a transport manual is created containing all the client’s specifications. The manual is also submitted to the insurance surveyor.’’

What is most fascinating about your work? “Variety probably … and the sheer size of what we are working with. Fortunately I am not at my desk all the time. One interest-ing part is the occasional trip abroad when I get the chance to test theories and see things in practice. I used to work in the yacht sector. Back then I used to occasionally go on transport trips and even helped carry out load/unload activities myself.”

“Dockwise is on the move, just like what I do. The company does not focus exclusively on maritime transport and maritime projects, but increasingly has to handle transport by land, the Onshore industrial projects. Our CAD department is also experiencing a shift - from two-dimensional to three-dimensional repro-duction. Emphasis in the future will be on visualisation and animation. In these animations we want to display the entire process, from loading activities to tugboats sailing around during unload and submerse activities.”

“DOckwisE is On thE MOvE, Just likE what i DO.”

Seafastenings connected to the adaptor

Adaptor w

elded

to the cargo

at deck

of the ve

ssel

Adaptor

generated

in 3D Microstat

ion

CAD-system.

DECEMBER 3-5, 2008, PERtH, AUstRAliA DOt Deepwater offshore Australia presents one of the most challenging exploration and production operating regions of the world. Operators there encounter the full scope of technology challenges – deepwater conditions, remote field locations, hostile environment, seafloor issues, difficult currents, flow assurance issues, long distances from infra-structure, logistical challenges, isolation from heavy lift and instal-lation vessels. this year’s DOt addresses virtually every technology issue that a deepwater operator will ever have to face. these challenges open up a vast number of technical topics for the upcoming conference program.

PennWell is committed to bringing DOt to the world’s most pertinent deepwater markets. Offshore Australia is experiencing a boom in offshore exploration and production. Many prominent players in the oilfield will gather for this most prestigious conference and exhibition.http://doti08.events.pennnet.com/fl/index.cfm

DECEMBER 2-4, 2008, NORtH/sOUtH BUilDiNg, ORANgE COUNtY CONvENtiON CENtER, ORlANDO, Fl UsA POWER-gEN iNtERNAtiONAlin 1988, POWER-gEN international was introduced to the industry and was met with success as it began building its foundation in Orlando, Florida. twenty years later, returning to Orlando as the largest, most trusted and well established power event, POWER-gEN international brings the industry together for three days of education, training, networking and new business negotiation.

http://pgi08.events.pennnet.com/fl//index.cfm

agEnDa

DECEMBER 2-5, 2008

siNgAPORE

OsEA 2008

OsEA 2008 brings you the ideal platform to explore

oil and gas business avenues, expand market share

and penetrate emerging markets. the exhibition gives

visitors a chance to network with the region’s

movers and shakers and profit from these oppor-

tunities.

We look forward to welcome you at our stand.

www.osea-asia.com

The Rowan Gorilla VII Jack-up rig that was built by the

Marathon LeTourneau Super Gorilla has been loaded recently

in the harbor of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on board Mighty

Servant 1. After its voyage the Gorilla VII Jack-up rig will be

discharged in Luanda, Angola. The Jack-up rig is operated by

Rowan Companies Inc.

The Rowan Gorilla VII is both a very large and heavy cargo:

its overall length is 121.43 meters. Weighing 27,897 metric ton

it’s one of the heaviest jack-up drilling rigs that have ever been

transported by Dockwise. Other interesting specifications of the

cargo are the total height of no less than 195.28 meter and the

overall width of 91.44 meter. The first rig transported for Rowan

Companies Inc. was the Rowan Alaska during the summer of 1982.

Jack-uP rig gOrilla vii

lOaDED in rOttErDaM

agEnDa

agEnDa

DOcknEWS

At OTC 2008 Dockwise will have a 200 square meter stand and visitors will, among other experiences, be able to see what float-overs, part of the company’s strategy, are about. Jaqueline van den Bergen, Dockwise Manager internal & External Communications:“The Dockwise logo launch was last year at OTC. The brand new booth concept was one part of the launch. A lot of visitors liked it so we leave the basic concept unchanged. With one exception; visitors are more than welcome to have a look at our float-over model, and, if they are interested, to view a laptop presentation about float-overs. In the meantime they can enjoy a cup of Star-bucks coffee. Especially when we are telling our stories as to why Dockwise has successfully achieved a leading position as maritime heavy lift transporter. And when we show what Dockwise can now do technically and organizationally with its onshore industrial projects.” Float-overs are opening a new era for Dockwise; which can already point to two impressive completed projects: transport of the Shenzi TLP hull and the Maari project (see pages 32 and 36 in this Dockwiser). Visitors will be able to talk to representatives of ODL/ODC and OKI, both since August 2007 part of the

Dockwise group of companies. OKI leads the industry in float-over deck mating, performing complete engineering, system design, testing and supply, and offshore supervision during instal-lation. ODL/ODC provides engi-neering and consulting services to the offshore industry. The sites www.oceandyn.com, and www.offshorekinematics.com will tell the curious reader more.

DOckwisE riDEs thE wavEs OF changE

Page 8 DOckWISER DOckWISER Page 9

OnshOrE inDustrial PrOJEcts Michel Seij, Lead Project Engineer, comments on Dockwise’s new course: “Over the recent past years Dockwise has made a clearer distinction between its various heavy lift disciplines. Partially because of increasing demand for onshore industrial projects & offshore transport & installation by means by means of float-over technology. In line with the one-stop principle, Dockwise is seeking to handle all the various components of the whole process; loading and transport up to delivery and local on site installations. Many engineering disciplines are involved; transport, marine, structure, project engineering, risk analysis and technical drawing. And that is not counting the essential office support of legal, commercial and sales operations. Good communication and coordination between all these departments and people is essential.”

Otc 2008 5-8 MayOtc, is the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. Otc is held at the reliant center in houston. attendance consistently exceeds 70,000, and more than 2,000 companies partici-pate in the exhibition. Otc attracts attendees from around the globe, with more than 110 countries represented at recent conferences. Otc is sponsored by 12 industry organizations and societies, that work together to develop the technical program each year. Otc also has two endorsing organizations and six supporting organizations. the 2008 theme, waves of change, reflects the industry’s transition as project scopes and parameters are stretched to fulfill ever-increasing demand. changes in techno-logy as well as changes in the workforce highlight the need not only to keep pace but to anticipate future developments. as the rate of change accele-rates will our industry ride the waves of change? www.otcnet.org

Jacqueline van den

Bergen (left)

and Amanda Brown (righ

t)


DOcknEWS

With an increase in deepwater exploration,

the demand for deepwater drilling rigs has

increased significantly as well. Currently, there

are about 50 new build deepwater rigs under

construction in various fabrication yards in

mainly the Far East. Most of these rigs go on

contract in Brazil, US Gulf and Europe and as

such need to be transported over long distances.

In the case of dry transportation, the thrusters of these rigs

hang underneath the hull of the semi-submersible rigs, close to

the water surface, and are exposed to wave impact loads during

the transport. These loads are mainly due to roll motions of

the ship while sailing in waves. As thrusters are a delicate piece

of equipment, it is desirable to have a very good insight in the

magnitude of the impact and drag load during the transport.

Predicting these loads is not easy as there are various compo-

nents that need to be calculated:

> Motions of the ship during transit

> Wave patterns ‘hitting’ the thrusters underneath the rig hull

> Vertical load of the waves on the thruster

> Horizontal drag load on the thruster

Using most up to date industry standard

software, accurate ship motion calculations

and predicting wave patterns are at the basis

of predicting the wave loads on the thrusters.

Calculating the actual impact and drag loads

on a complex shape like a thruster is the most

difficult part.

Dockwise has performed an engineering study and model

tests in joint effort with one of the manufacturers of these

thrusters in order to predict these loads. During the model

tests at MARIN, wave impact and drag loads on a scale

model of a thruster were measured together with the impact

velocity with which the thrusters hit the water surface. By

varying the orientation of the thruster, the wave patterns

and traveling speed, insight was gained in what the best

transport configuration would be. But most of all, the

results of the model tests were used to validate a tool that

was developed by Dockwise’ engineers. The tool consists

of a set of logical equations, which use input parameters

representing the thruster

dimensions, wave characteris-

tics and impact velocities.

The developed tool enables

Dockwise to study feasibility

of various transports of semi-

submersible rigs with thrusters

mounted to their keel. By

making transport calculations

and varying the departure

date and the allowable wave

heights during the transport,

an accurate prediction of

the impact loads can be made

for the rig owners and the

manufacturers of the thrust-

ers, while the tool enables

Dockwise to plan these

transport in great detail with

the objective to move another

cargo safe to it’s destination.

DOckwisE PErFOrMs wavE iMPact stuDy On thrustErs OF sEMi- subMErsiblE rigs

as thrustErs arE a DElicatE PiEcE OF EquIPmEnT, it is DEsirablE tO havE a vEry gOOd InSIgHT in thE MagnituDE OF thE iMPact anD Drag lOaD During thE TRAnSPORT


stOckEXCHAngE

The official listing in Oslo may have marked the end of a remarkably busy time for the company, and especially for CEO André Goedée and CFO Stefan Malfliet, but Malfliet believes what it really marks is a new beginning for Dockwise. A beginningthat puts it firmly on the road to realizing its ambi-tious growth targets. “The listing has to be viewed in the light of the three pillars of the company’s strategy,” he says. These are to develop the core busi-ness of transport management of large structures in a variety of market segments, plus the yacht transport business. The second is to actually install those struc-tures offshore using float-over technology. And last but not least, the third pillar of the strategy is to get closely involved in the development of large onshore industrial projects, through the transport and instal-lation of modules for industrial plants. “It was never going to be possible to implement this strategy as part of the Heerema Group, as Heerema had its own strategic goals, which were different from ours. This was why Heerema sold us to 3i, a move that, together

with significant investment in our core business, gave an enormous boost to our strategy.”

DO it right!Indeed, just a few months after the 3i takeover, Dockwise acquired Bermuda-based peer Sealift, which is currently converting four tankers into semi-submersible heavy transport vessels. Two vessels have already been converted and are in service. And that takes us quite neatly to the listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, Malfliet says. “Sealift was already listed on the OTC market. The problem was that many investors cannot invest on the OTC market. So we thought, let’s do this right and go for a full listing.”

In just two weeks, Malfliet and André Goedée gave no less than 160 presentations to investment banks and institutional investors in the world’s leading financial centres. “We also had meetings with consul-tants, and a lot of lawyers preparing the 280-page listing prospectus. Luckily for us, we have a really

Text gARRY PiggOt Photography CORBis

The official listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange last October crowned a remarkable year for Dockwise. What was possibly the most significant period of change in the company’s history kicked off with parent company Heerema’s sale of its stake in Dockwise to private equity firm 3i in January 2007. This was quickly followed by the acquisition of Sealift, which gave Dockwise a listing on the Oslo over-the-counter (OTC) market. And as if the company was not already busy enough preparing for the official listing, in August 2008 Dockwise announced the acquisition of ODL/ODC and OKI, which effectively marked the company’s transition from a leading heavy lift transport operator to a full-service float-over installation contractor.

DOckwisE listing Marks nEw bEginning


stOckEXCHAngE

good and very interesting story to tell, so telling it over and over again was part of the fun.”

transParEncy, visibility anD talEntA listing on the official stock exchange requires a lot of work and involves a huge amount of red tape and scrutiny from the stock exchange, regulators and investors. “But the flip side”, Malfliet says, “is that it gives a company a lot more transparency and visibility for clients, suppliers, investors, as all the information about the company is publicly available. It also makes you much more visible to potential key staff, making it easier to attract talent. Just two years ago, Dockwise was a real niche player and not many people had heard of us. They certainly have now and we’re having no trouble recruiting energetic and committed employees.”

cOMPlEtE PrOPOsitiOn“A stock exchange listing also gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of how you execute your strategy,” Malfliet adds. “A perfect example of this was the acquisition in August 2007 of ODL/ODC and OKI right in the midst of the hectic preparations for the IPO (Initial Public Offering, the first sale of stock). Because we didn’t have much to do,” he laughs. “But seriously, we’d already invested around US$ 800 mln in the core business last year, with the acquisition of Sealift. Then we invested in the float-over business, which we see as key to success of our strategy. Com-bining these companies with Dockwise puts us in a different league. Not only do we have the capability to transport very large structures, and manage and ex-ecute float-overs, we also have leading-edge engineer-ing capabilities. This makes us a much more complete proposition for customers,” Malfliet explains.

Dockwise can now transport and install complete structures weighing more than 20,000 tons, compared with the 10,000 tons maximum that can be lifted by a

crane vessel. “So we can transport the structure and install it all in one go. This saves the cost of integrating various modules on-site, as everything is assembled and tested at the yard. It’s almost as simple as putting the structure in place and plugging it in,”says Claudia Mennen-Vermeule, Department Manager Finance and Accounting.

“And of course, the stock exchange listing also gives the company another currency to finance its expan-sion”, Mennen-Vermeule says, noting that the ODL and OKI acquisitions were part financed with shares. “The listing gives you the full range of financing tools. This puts us on a level playing field with our compe-titors. Not to mention that, again, it makes us a lot more attractive to existing and potential employees, which is essential to a company that’s growing as fast as Dockwise. Since 2004, we’ve gone from 80 people onshore and 600 offshore, to 350 people onshore and over 1200 offshore.”

why OslO?The fact that Sealift was already listed on the OTC, made this choice quite clear. That, in combination with the knowledge of a number of Norwegian ana-lysts that follow the industry as well as a large Norwegian shareholder, Frontline, ultimately influ-enced the decisions.

Dockwise could hardly have chosen a better time to increase its visibility and - with the help of ODL and

wE arE nOw an IndEPEndEnT cOntractOr, Financially tOO,

with a clEar aMbitiOn anD a PrOvEn track rEcOrD

in rEalizing that

AmbITIOn

CLAUDIA MENNEN-VERMEULE Age: 34Position: Department Manager Finance and Accounting


stOckEXCHAngE

OKI - transform itself from a heavy lift transport operator to a full-service float-over installation contractor, with few real competitors. After years of underspending, the oil industry is being forced to replenish reserves and annual corporate investment in offshore platforms and equipment is now around US$ 100 bn and only likely to increase. “And that’s just part of our market. Future investment will come from a lot more sources, such as national oil com-panies. Venezuela and Russia are already investing huge amounts. If you add onshore industrial plant development, I think demand for our services will be a lot more varied and dispersed, and much greater,” Malfliet says.

Pay-OFF tiMEDespite the time and effort devoted to the Oslo listing and acquisitions, Dockwise was still able to increase its operating profit by 40% compared with the record result booked in 2006. And Malfliet fully expects this year to be even better. Teaming up with ODL and OKI very quickly proved to be a very smart move indeed. In August of last year, almost before the ink was dry on the acquisition agreements, the company was awarded a major contract for the float-over and installation of an offshore module by the Thai-Malaysian company CPOC (Carigali-PT-TEPI Operation Company). “We now have the most diverse fleet of semi-submersible vessels in the world, plus engineering and project management capabili-ties, and ODL and OKI’s expertise in the installation of offshore modules. This shows that everything we’ve done over the past year or so, including the listing, is paying off.”

MOrE tO cOMENot that Dockwise is planning to rest on its laurels any time soon. Malfliet and Mennen-Vermeule stress that the company will continue to invest in its core business and new technology, while intensify-ing relationships with customers. There are already plans to expand the worldwide network of offices, to be as close as possible to those customers. And the company will continue to look at potential oppor-tunities or alliances to increase its range of products and services. “We are now an independent contractor, financially too, with a clear ambition and a proven track record in realizing that ambition. We are still very ambitious, and have passion and dedication in all we do. What I’d say right now is watch this space.”

Ocean Dynamics (ODL) is an engineering consulting company with offices in Houston, texas and a subsidiary, Ocean Dynamics China (ODC) in shenzhen City, near Hong Kong. the company provides engineering and consulting services to the offshore industry, specializing in the analysis and design of fixed and floating offshore structures, marine analysis and design, mooring systems and offshore transportation and float-over installations. Sister company Offshore Kinematics (OKI) is a leading engineering, design, testing and supply operation for float-over installation systems, and has developed several proprietary systems and designs that have become critical to the float-over process.

For more information visit www.oceandyn.com and www.offshorekinematics.com

STEFAN MALFLIET Age: 35Position: Chief Financial Officer

developing procedures and plans, and looking at how we might need to adapt the carrier vessel for optimal safety and effectiveness. For example, skids will be placed on deck to allow platform movement, and these alone will add some 1,500 tons of steel on board. Such adjustments mean the vessel will be at a yard for some time.”According to planning the Black Marlin will arrive at the SMOE yard in Singapore mid July next year. After countless preparatory activities, the Muda platform will be loaded out using some very impressive hydraulic equipment, certainly when you are looking from close-up. “That will easily take a day,” says Van der Hoeven. “The art is to manage the ballast water in the vessel so that as the weight of the platform passes from the quayside to the vessel, the vessel does not tilt or roll and is kept precisely horizontal and up against the quayside and simultaneously address the tidal movements. But our vessels are equipped for the purpose and our crews can all do this faultlessly. Even if a system fails, we can rely on ample build in redundancy in our vessels and in our working procedures. Nonetheless a load out is an exciting time.

20 cEntiMEtrEs…Once the platform is safely on board, it will be securely welded to the ship’s deck for the sea journey. And early August the Dockwise crew will cast off and the Muda will be on its way to its destination. Needless to say, checks will have been made with the weather specialists. “To ensure calm seas the time of year is chosen with a low chance of bad weather. And if there is a time overrun and the monsoon begins, it won’t be a big problem, but we prefer to avoid that.” says Van der Hoeven. At location tugs will be waiting for Dockwise to assist with carefully manoeuvering the Black Marlin between the jacket legs. This last manoeu-vre is very important. Van der Hoeven explains, “There’s only 20 centimetres free space on each side, so we have to be exactly right..


But before that, an eight leg structure first has to be placed on the seabed – the so-called jacket – on which the Muda platform will be placed. This jacket is currently being built in Malaysia. Once in place, this will be followed some time later by the operation to load out the Muda platform from the yard onto the heavy transport vessel, transport it to location and position it on the jacket.

Platform transport sounds very simple, but it is not. It is ferociously complex to transport a platform of this size and format safely, explains Ben van der Hoeven, Dockwise Proposal Manager for the project, “You are talking about 20,000 tons (or 20 million kilos if you prefer – ed.) and some impres-sive dimensions. The platform is five storeys high and measures 60 by 80 metres.” Almost the surface area of a football field (less one penalty area).

sElFPrOPEllED vEssEl“We will use the Black Marlin for this job, which is the third largest vessel of the Dockwise fleet,” says Van der Hoeven. “Actually the platform does not have to go very far – the location is only three days sailing, which means the use of a selfpropelled vessel is not really necessary. But the client chose a self-propelled unit over a towed transport barge. The vessel will have to manoeuver backwards between two rows of jacket legs positioned at precisely the right distance so that the Black Marlin can fit in between them,” says Ben.In view of the dimensions was Dockwise already being considered a possible installation contractor in the platform development stages? “Clients often take this into consideration,” says Van der Hoeven, “We were selected because of our professionalism, pricing and the fact we were able to offer a separate contract for the transport and installation. Trans-port and installation of the Muda platform have been separately contracted in addition to the many other contracts that the client has to sign when developing an oil field.”

ExPEnsivE cargOThe CPOC Muda is projected to reach its high point in August 2009, but preparations are already in full swing. No wonder, says Van der Hoeven: “It’s a matter of getting it completely right, not just partly right. It either goes 100% well or completely wrong. The transport involves a very expensive cargo – such a platform can easily cost 500 million dollars – and all risks therefore need to be mini-mised, preferably excluded. So we are currently

Text gUUs PEtERs Photograpy DOCKWisE

For the CPOC joint venture between oil companies Petronas Caligari (Malaysia) and PTTEP (Thailand), a huge production platform is currently being built at the SMOE yard in Singapore. Dockwise has been given the responsibility of transporting the giant, now with the name Muda, and positioning it at location.

cOnsiDEr it dOnE!

giant On a JOurnEy

DOCKWISE TO TRANSPORT ‘MUDA’, A 20,000-TON PRODUCTION PLATFORM

BEN VAN DER HOEVENAge: 43Position: Proposal Manager

A LOAd OuT is an EXCITIng tiME

cOrE vALuES

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Part 2: rEliability

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One of the three core values of Dockwise is reliability. It is expressed in such factors as the condition of vessels, and the high standards Dockwise applies to safety, quality and service. In practice it means planning, estimating, training, co-operating, innovating and always thinking ahead.

Text ivANKA EgglY Photography KlAAs slOt

“Reliability is critically important to Dockwise. One of our statements to our customers after all is ‘we take care of your cargo’. That is why we have to live up to their expectations”, explains Peter Schäfer, manager HSES. “Reliability is part of what we deliver, and as well as all hardware and people, it covers quality, safety, health and the environment. To keep us alert we are certified to ISO 9001 (Quality) standards and the Dockwise HSES (Health, Safety, Environment and Security)

management system is currently being upgraded and extended to cope with company’s strategy and the internationally recognized ISO 14001 (environ-ment) and OHSAS 18001 (safety) standards. It also means that our staff undergoes constant training to work in the safest way possible, and to keep up to date on new projects, technologies and developments. Eugene Kolesnikov, lead HSES engineer, adds: “Our customers, logically, want certainty and safety, because if something goes

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cOrE vALuES

wrong with the cargo we are transporting for them, the resulting costs for them are incredible. Insurers don’t like that much either. And cargoes of course can contain substances that are hazardous to people and the environment. If something goes wrong, it can also damage the company’s reputation. We carefully prepare every step of every operation. In 2008 we will further expand and develop our safety procedures, as mentioned before, and extra vessel ‘safety cases’. Dockwise will never sit back where safety and reliability are concerned. We are travel-ling in the right direction, but do not think there are no improvements we can make. Our aim is always to go one step further and pro-actively identify and respond to risks.”

risk analysEsEverything that concerns cargo transport is laid down in the Dockwise Management System. This means that nothing is left to chance, so for every transport of any size Dockwise estimates, analyses and describes everything from coming weather conditions, tides at port of arrival and departure, vessel stability, weight and dimensions of the cargo, response of the vessel to the loading/discharge method, quality control, safety measures to be taken during all project activities, crew health and so on. It’s a complex exercise and appropriate risk assessments are conducted for the various aspects of the project.

Schäfer: “By making such risk assessments, we properly prepare for a transport. Before we actually put to sea there is an enormous preparation time for some of our projects. Engineering and, if necessary, construction or adaptation can take many months, all in all the complex preparations can take up to two years before we are ready for transport. Then proper loading and discharge of the vessel is essen-tial, a complex or heavy transport may involve up to 50-100 people from the various contracting parties.

tahiti sParA recent example of an impressive transport in which reliability played an extra important role was

the load out, transport and float off of the 25,000 ton ’Tahiti Spar’. Dockwise transported the 180 metre long and 40 metre diameter Spar Buoy on the Mighty Servant 1 from Pori in Finland to Ingleside - Texas in the United States. Project manager Frank Berrens explains: “Reliability means for us keeping our promises. To transport the Tahiti Spar we needed to be in Finland on April 4th, and we were there on April 4th!” He adds; “reliability is achieved by thorough preparation. An important and vital leitmotief for successful project management at Dockwise is always to have in the back of your head, that ‘the devil is in the detail’. We sailed all the way from Australia, with a stopover in South Africa to exchange crew and have an experienced captain invest the time to get to know the ship well. Then during the preparatory port call in Rotterdam a trial submerging was performed, which allowed us to assess if everything would work as it should. While we were sure the crew and the vessel could be relied upon, we put the client’s mind at rest by proving it. Being reliable also means mitigating or reducing all risks. Early on in the engineering phase we involve the whole team in identifying them. One particular result was that we convinced our client to use extra side tanks and a support barge to optimise stability during float off. And all the time we are investing best efforts in anticipating risks. We travelled to the yards in Finland and USA and held HAZIDs with all involved – hazard identification programmes. All possible ‘what ifs’ were considered. So for instance we even checked what would have to be done if a TV helicopter flew low and cut critical radio contact for a few minutes right in the middle of loading… We looked for risks everywhere, and created intel-ligent responses to all of them. Eventually we were sure all could be handled. Even those the experts sometimes missed. For sure we are reliable!”

“Accidents can happen for the smallest reason, something really insignificant. So we insist on thorough preparation. We assess what action we must take if, for example, the cargo moves, or what we would do in the case of crew injury? In short, all operational risks, large and small, are listed and

OuR AIm is always tO PRO-ACTIvELy

iDEntiFy anD rEsPOnD tO RISkS

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evaluated. We look at the client’s procedures. We do our utmost to ensure that the transport is as free of risk and as controlled as possible.”

nuclEar transPOrtsAnother project in which reliability played a key role was in handling nuclear transports. Dockwise recently transported three decom-missioned Russian nuclear powered submarines. Aart van de Hoonaard, project manager: “We started by consulting radiation experts to estimate radiation hazards. We naturally wanted to eliminate these or at least reduce them to acceptable levels. A special crew instruction programme was organised. All was carefully worked out in advance. Dockwise performed the load-outs, the radiation specialists performed the radiation checks and dedicated nuclear engineers did the seafastening.” He admits that at one location higher than expected radiation levels were discovered. “We solved this by giving the nuclear submarines more space and slightly moving the seafastenings away from the radiation. All on board the Dockwise vessel carried a dosimeter to record any radiation. After comple-tion of the three transports it was found that radia-

tion received by all on board had remained well within acceptable limits. As a matter of fact the dosimeters on the vast majority of people did not record any radiation at all. Our clients were Russian Companies. The projects were sponsored by the Canadian and Norwegian Governments. They provided the financial resources to safely store the nuclear waste.”

nOblEdRILLIng’S

Text ROgER tHURMAN

DOwn tO 7 MilEs/12 kilOMEtErsNoble is an impressive example of America’s skills and courage in the art of commercial innovation. All built on superb hardware, astute acquisition, long experience and constantly upgraded staff abilities. The Company’s strategy is based on ex-panding its international offshore drilling activities by raising rig numbers (by new-builds and takeovers) and their capability (by upgrades and modifications). The Noble Jim Day (weighing in at 38,000 tons) will be able to drill down almost 12 kilometers. The company currently has a total of 62 drilling units. When a rig is built, or completes a contract, it has to be moved to the location of its first (or next) job, which may well be thousands of miles distant. Bearing in mind the daily expense of these units the time this move takes means a lot to the company P&L. The moves must be fast yet ultra-safe. Noble Drilling has often used Dockwise to move its rigs around the world. So far faultlessly.

thE insiDE stOry OF a largE transPOrt

JiM Day PrOJEct


HAROLD KEySPosition: Engineering Manager - Marine

Noble Corporation, the world’s second largest offshore drilling contractor, is an expert in working at great depth. Over coming years the company’s rigs will be in heavy demand so the company is currently building five new units to add to its fleet, and what it builds has to be put in place. A coming record breaking assignment will be the ‘dry’ transport of Noble Jim Day semi-submersible rig from its Singapore construction yard to the Gulf of Mexico. A sneak preview of some of the technical challenges come end-2008.

nOblEdRILLIng’S

Dry FastEr than wEt‘Wet’ transports are those in which tugs tow the rig, either floating on its own or on a carrier pontoon. ‘Dry’ moves are those with the rig on board a separate self-propelled carrier vessel – the work in which Dockwise specializes. All things being equal, dry moves are faster than wet moves, and thus save the rig owner the equivalent of the income associated with the fewer days underway at sea. These can be significant. Thus the attraction of the Dockwise service.

saFE anD On-tiME DElivEryHarold Keys is Noble Drilling’s Engineering Manager – Marine responsible for the Noble Jim Day transport. “Our concern centres on the safe and on-time delivery of our rigs.” he explains. “We and of course our insurers like to avoid surprises, time and cost overruns, and we have a driven need to get our rigs to work exactly on the date we promise to our clients. It makes for trust in the future.” He smiles. “One of the reasons we work with Dockwise. The Dutch seem to have a knack for this sort of thing.” With construction in Singapore in full swing, the transport is currently scheduled for year-end

2009 though with all the many unknowns in the general build programmes, this could still vary widely. thE narrOw DOwn schEMEKeys explains further: “As far as rig transport date goes we have a special arrangement with Dockwise whereby we share all information that might affect the departure date. The ‘contract narrow down scheme’ means that based on our rig completion expectations, Noble has to pro-vide Dockwise with an ever smaller departure window.” At contract signing the window is 75 days, 12 months before departure it is 45 days, 8 months before departure it is 30 days, and 4 months before departure it has to be 15 days. One month before the scheduled departure date we have to be down to one day and Dockwise will insure the Blue Marling arrives within a 15 day window of that date. All of this means that both Dockwise and Noble can count securely on a minimum of surprises and that the trans-port will leave on the day scheduled.” Having that transporter arrive just as the rig is readied for roll-out is a science, an art and a major gamble combined.

thrEE Main cOMPOnEntsJan Wolter Oosterhuis is Dockwise USA Manager of the Business De-velopment Department and Project Manager for the acquisition of large transports of semi-submersibles like the Noble Jim Day. “Besides preparing a commercial offer, our first task is to look at the challenge technically. Get all information from Noble, decide on the vessel, prepare loading plans and procedures, fully model the rig on the Blue Marlin, get approval in principle and provisionally schedule the transport. He was helped in this by engineer-ing specialists at Dockwise’s headquarters in

JiM Day PrOJEct


Breda and Ocean Dynamics Limited, which is Dockwise’s fully owned engineering branch with offices in Houston and China. The engi-neering team, among other key tasks forecast all the forces that could be sustained by rig and vessel in the various possible sea states. This gives essential data to Dockwise staff. “Our task breaks down into three main components,” ex-plains Oosterhuis. “rig loading and seafastening, transit, and offloading. All have to be faultless, no surprises.”

a lOt OF EnginEEring tiMEThe Noble Jim Day will be floated on the Blue Marlin by ballasting and submerging the carrier, floating the rig into position above the carrier deck, deballasting and immediately commen-cing sea fastening. Oosterhuis: “To spread the huge forces of the rig on the vessel and the vessel on the rig, and avoid any local stress or damage, we will use a softwood cribbing arrangement between deck and rig structure. Once the rig is in position the welders go to work and weld seafastenings to the rig as to make it all ready for transit.” A lot of engineering time goes into preparing all the details of the transport in order to make the first trip around the world for this rig as smoothly as possible.

thE vOyagEThe second component is the voyage. This will take the loaded vessel from Singapore through the Indonesian archipelago, across the Indian Ocean, round the Cape of Good Hope and up through the South and North Atlantic oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. Some 47 days non-stop during which the Master will have the benefit of long, medium and short term weather forecasts from a number of sources. “Although the centre of gravity of the structure is some 110 feet above the surface of the water, stability of the cargo and vessel together is still well within limits of the Blue Marlin as it has a deadweight capacity of twice the weight of the Noble Jim Day ,” explains Oosterhuis. Weather conditions may involve the master changing

course to avoid bad weather and excessive dynamic loads on the rig and the ship.

arrival Voyage progress and projected arrival at off load site will be constantly monitored by Noble. Upon arrival at the discharge site offshore Louisiana work will immediately commence on preparing for the float-off. The Noble Jim Day thrusters, removed for the voyage on board the Blue Marlin will be replaced, the seafastenings removed and in broad lines the process of float-on reversed. The final picture will be the 38,000 tons of the Noble Jim Day safely at position at its scheduled drill site awaiting the installation and commissioning crew - oil, gas and mud men all. As all the tasks contracted for by Dockwise are completed so will the client sign off and say goodbye to the team that got his rig to where he could start the real work. Dockwise has every trust that project progress will closely follow the lines of this story. The editor adds his best wishes to all concerned for a successful completion.

stOWAgE PlAN OF Noble Jim Day ON BOARD tHE BlUE MARliN READY FOR DEPAR-tURE. AgAiNst AN EstiMAtED WEt tRANsPORt tRANsit tiME OF 87 DAYs FROM siNgAPORE tO tHE gUlF OF MEXiCO, tHE PlANNED tRANsit tiME OF tHE tRANsPORt UsiNg tHE BlUE MARliN Will BE 47 DAYs. tHE Rig is NAMED AFtER EX-NOBlE DRilliNg CEO JiM DAY, NOW REtiRED, PAst iNsPiRAtiON FOR tHE COMPANY’s DRivE FOR DOMiNANCE iN tHE WORlD OF DEEP sEA DRilliNg.

JAN WOLTEROOSTERHUISPosition: Manager Business Development


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Text DOCKWisE & HANs MARtENs Photography KlAAs slOt

a littlE hOrnPiPingDOckwisE On a granD scalE

Dockwise is a company that is used to thinking and operating on a large scale. And for any readers who might be interested in the details of some special projects, here are a couple of recent stories by way of illustration.

rEMarkablE PrOJEcts

Mighty sErvant 3 back in sErvicE by EnD OF 2008 aFtEr rEinstatEMEnt at granD bahaMas shiPyarD, FrEEPOrt.

On 18 November 2006, the Mighty Servant 3 sailed from Trinidad for Luanda, West Africa, carrying a drilling rig and barge. On 6 December 2006 at precisely 07:53 local time, she sank just short of her destination during rig discharge. The rig actually floated off without damage. The Mighty Servant 3 was later successfully recuperated by Smit Salvage and towed to Cape Town for docking, inspections and removal of critical components.

rEinstatEMEnt FEasiblEWhen the technical condition of the vessel had been confirmed, it became clear that reinstatement of the vessel would be perfectly feasible as it had not sustained significant structural damage and that, thanks to the crew’s foresight and speed of reaction, all critical components such as main engines, steering gear, reduction gears and so on had been saved.

The tender process for the envisaged repair was started and interested major yards were invited to carry out inspections. The vessel reinstatement tender process was concluded and the contract finally awarded to Grand Bahamas Shipyard, Freeport. The vessel was prepared for the towage voyage from Cape Town to Freeport.

siMilar tO traDitiOnal nEwbuilDMighty Servant 3 left Cape Town, South Africa November 2007 and reached Freeport on 23 January 2008. It is now being stripped of all machinery, equipment and systems down to the empty hull. The vessel will subsequently enter drydock for the minor repairs and renewals as required.

The refurbishment and repair project will then continue in a similar way to a tradi-tional new build with installation of the new electrical systems, new machinery and control systems to all the latest design and standards. The main engines are being stripped and rebuilt at the Wartsila facili-ties in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Essentially, both main engines will be next to new when delivered back to the owner later this year. The accommodation will be extended during the repair by inserting an extra layer and be further upgraded to today’s standards with such things as internal furnishings and crew facilities.

This challenging reinstatement project is currently in its initial stages but by year end the Mighty Servant 3 is scheduled to be back in service with the Dockwise fleet. The next projects are already at her doorstep.


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tHE MigHtY sERvANt 3, PRiOR tO its PlANNED REiNstAtEMENt PROgRAM. tHE END OF 2008 Will sEE tHE sHiP tAKE ON A DiFFERENt PROFilE, EXPANDED CAPABilitiEs AND, UNDOUBtEDlY, NEW DEstiNAtiONs.

DElivEry OF

thE shEnzi tlP hull tO bhP billitOn PEtrOlEuM (aMEricas) inc.

At the end of 2007, Samsung Heavy Industries was contracted to complete construction and commence delivery of the Shenzi TLP hull to BHP Billiton Petroleum (Americas) Inc. The hull was to be transported by the Mighty Servant 1 from the construction yard in Geoje, Korea, via Cape of Good Hope to Kiewit Offshore Services, Ingleside, USA.

skiDs anD cribsHull loading onto the Mighty Servant 1 was done by skidding, but for the sea passage from Korea to the USA it was relocated

onto cribbing rather than the skid beams. On 14 December, the Mighty Servant 1 arrived in Geoje, Korea and deck prepara-tions commenced. On 28 december, the Shenzi TLP hull skidded from Samsung’s hull build quay onto the skidding arrange-ment on the aft deck of the Mighty Servant 1. After the skidding had been finished and temporary seafastenings installed, the vessel was shifted to an anchorage outside Geoje harbour, where there was an average water depth of 25 metres.On 3 January, the Mighty Servant 1 sub-merged to a draft of approximately 21 metres forward and 23 metres aft, allowing the hull to float off. In order to retain full stability with the deck submerged, the Mighty Servant 1 had to make use of the buoyancy of the Shenzi TLP hull. This is often the case,


DOckSPECIALthE SHEnzI TLP HuLL was

tO bE transPOrtED FrOM gEOJE, kOrEa, via CAPE Of gOOd HOPE

tO inglEsiDE, usa

tHE sHENzi tlP HUll - A DRY tRANsPORt WEigHt OF 11,200 tONs, HEigHt 70 MEtREs, sPAN 85 MEtREs (111 MEtREs DiAgONAl) AND A FlOAtiNg DRAFt OF APPROXiMAtElY 8 MEtREs ON BOARD tHE MigHtY sERvANt 1, BOtH OF tHEM Big BABiEs.

but because of the shape of this hull (with its large deadrise), the vessel had to take on a considerable trim by the stern and some degrees heel first, which made it an even more precise operation than usual.

saFE arrivalAfter the floating, the Shenzi TLP hull was pulled forward and positioned over the cribbing with tugger lines. The Mighty Servant 1 deballasted until the sailing draft of approximately 8 metres was reached and the Shenzi TLP hull was safely sitting on the cribbing arrangement installed


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SAfE ARRIvAL On 28 FEbruary PrEcEDED anOthEr vast cOMPlEx OF rig FlOat-OFF,

POsitiOning anD InSTALLIng ACTIvITIES

in front of the skidding structure. On 4 January, the Mighty Servant 1 moved to the Samsung quayside, where the seafastenings were installed and the skidding arrangement removed. On 6 January, the Mighty Servant 1 set off for the voyage to Ingleside, USA.Safe arrival on 28 February preceded another vast complex of rig float-off, positioning and installing activities.

OnE cOstly stEP lEssAccording to Sybren de Jong, Senior Project Superintendent, the transport of the Shenzi TLP hull in one aspect offered a striking saving in time and money. “Normally we load such a structure on board our lift vessel when it is actually in the water. But that float-off and transport to the location where it can be loaded on board a Dockwise vessel is

complex, risky and expensive for the client. In this project the hull was loaded directly onto the Mighty Servant from the quayside which meant the hull float-off and tug transport were eliminated. To do this the deck of the Mighty Servant had to be fitted with a skidding structure and the deck of the vessel had to remain exactly level with the quay notwithstanding tidal changes and weight distribution during loading. But it all saved the client an expensive extra process step and quite some time. For Dockwise it was the first project under the Float-Over flag, by which Dockwise handled all project management and engineering.”

For more information, please visit www.dockwise.com

Maari PrOJEct halFway tO cOMPlEtiOn

The Maari drill platform, 150 metres high and 10,000 tons heavy is currently on board the Blue Marlin on its way from Malaysia to New Zealand. This remarkable transport represents an unprecedented challenge to Dockwise capabilities in preparing the carrier and making a large load fast to ensure a safe voyage across the potentially very rough Tasman Sea.

Frank Berrens, Project Manager of the Maari project, does not hide his pride. “This is specialist work, and something the Neth-erlands can be proud of. It has been the result of rational thinking and hard work of all involved in the project. The platform is safely on deck on its specially designed grillage, seafast, after twelve days of welding work, and on its way.”

The team is now halfway through the pro-ject and has managed to get some very diffi-cult work done, but still has obstacles ahead of it. “These should prove the planning, engineering and construction of this unique project were all correct. We had to imagine what could happen in the notoriously dange-rous Tasman Sea, should the Blue Marlin encounter seas with waves of up to eleven metres.” In the worst possible scenario, each leg of the platform could exert up to 10,000 tons of pressure on its part of the deck. “We designed the weight spreading grillage to be able to handle the possible loads and so con-duct them to the deck construction safely. But then, once the ship survives the Tasman Sea and moors in Admiralty bay, there is the next challenge - unloading. Admiralty bay is in the northern part of South Island. During submersion Blue Marlin will only be able to use the flotation capacity of the platform in the last stages. Air in the hollow foot and an extra stability barge brought on board will help us out.”

The project was originally accepted in October 2006. At that time the Mighty Servant 1 was allocated as suitable carrier. Berrens; “From that moment the project team got busy mapping all possible risks and thinking up and calculating the support structures that would be needed to carry the local loads on deck. The maximum deck load of the Mighty Servant 1 was well below the total load exerted by the four legs. And one then had to add to this the extra loads that may be caused by heavy seas. The engineers de-veloped a kind of grill of heavy steel beams that would spread the forces over the deck, and would also demonstrate the necessary flexibility.” Originally the drilling platform was supposed to be shipped in October 2007, but because of delayed construction this was postponed to February/March


DOckSPECIALText HANs MARtENs

2008. By then The Mighty Servant 1 was to be used for a different transport assign-ment and the Blue Marlin became quali-fied. “Much of the calculating work already completed had to be repeated, because the construction and the behaviour at sea of both carrier vessels were quite different,” explained Berrens. After fitting the grillage and skid beams on board in Batam, the Blue Marlin sailed to the shipyard in Lumut on a channel that was not even on the sea charts. It had never seen a ship as large as this one. The channel was dredged specifically for Dockwise and checked for depth to ensure safe access to the 225 m x 63 m Blue Marlin. There the ship moored stern to quay. It was held in place with both its own and external anchors

as well as specially constructed multi-wire attachments and winches. The maximum sideways play was no more than 0.15°, almost unbelievable. To hold the deck at the same height as the quay during the loading process, an additional ballasting system was brought on board specially for this purpose and put into action. These systems followed the timing exactly. “This was absolutely necessary,” says Berrens, “as the tidal diffe-rences created a height change of 70 centi-metres an hour while the structure was being pushed hydraulically on board at a speed of only five metres an hour. The ballast systems had to compensate not only for the tidal effects, but also for the increasing weight on the stern and the consequent change of ship trim. The ballast system was


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checked time and again, and efforts proved their worth, it worked perfectly.” The Blue Marlin is now on its way sailing along the coast of Indonesia, from where it will pass the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coast and descend to the Tasman Sea and on to New Zealand.

risk ManagEMEntClough Projects International of Australia commissioned the project, whereby Dockwise itself takes responsibility for the design of the necessary 1200 tons grillage and sea fasten-ings, and the physical transport. Clough has been responsible for all fabrication & instal-lation works, includig the skidded load out operation. The responsibility of Dockwise also includes taking on board the stability barge

and the additional external ballast system. For this purpose the Blue Marlin sailed to Singapore to bunker, to Batam in Indonesia for the installation of the grillage and skid beams on deck, to Lumut Malaysia to take the rig on board and then to Admiralty Bay, New Zealand to unload. The operation involves many risks which the Dockwise project team has had to identify, quantify, engineer and safely manage.

nEw rig FOr OMv the drill platform will pump oil for OMv, an Austrian oil company that specializes in extracting oil from places difficult to access, and re-developing old fields. the field in the tasman sea is a ‘difficult location’ partly because of the low temperatures so that special heating techniques are required to pump up the oil. According to expectations some 40,000 barrels of oil will be extracted daily. With the current price per barrel, no wonder OMW is eager to start soon and maintain a tight schedule.

The conversion of a tanker to a heavy lift vessel basically involves removal of the original cargo section by installing a new midship section which is joined to the original bow and stern sections. The current status of the four conversions-in-progress are as follows.

thE trEasurEThe vessel at present is being converted at Cosco Zhoushan Shipyard. The new midship section has been fabricated and inserted and the vessel is currently afloat at the yard for finalization of the conversion and last repairs. Installation of deck ballast tanks, additional accommodation, ballast control room, new CO2 room, pump room, bow thruster, new generators, incinerator, bilge water separator, new lifeboats, cranes, cargo winches, forward garage and wheel house are all part of this extensive programme. Machinery and equip-

ment are being subjected to extensive upgra-ding and refurbishment. After installation of all new equipment and finalization of repairs, refurbishment and commissioning, submersion and sea trials will commence prior to delivery to Dockwise.

talisManThe Talisman is currently being converted at Cosco Nantong Shipyard. The new midship section is presently welded in place and the vessel is afloat for finalization of conversion activities. Deck ballast tanks, extra accommodation, ballast control room, new CO2 room, pump room, bow thruster, new generators, incinerator, bilge water separa-tor, new lifeboats, cranes, cargo winches, forward garage and wheel house will all be involved. Machinery and equipment is again being upgraded, refurbished or replaced and various special heavy lift equipment are being


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installed. After installation of all new equip-ment and finalization of repairs, refurbish-ment and commissioning, the submersion and sea trials will commence prior to delivery to Dockwise.

trustEEThe Trustee is currently being converted at Cosco Zhoushan Shipyard after its arrival mid-March 2008. Construction of the new midship section actually started mid-September of last year and is progress-ing, building of the double bottom started early this year. The Anglo Eastern/Dockwise site team has taken full position at the yard to monitor the project.

triuMPhThe vessel will be converted at Cosco Guangzhou Shipyard after its arrival in April 2008. Construction of the new midship

section started mid-August 2007 and in January of this year two of the four midship section blocks were completed and launched. As above the Anglo Eastern/Dockwise site team has taken position at the yard to moni-tor the project.The conversions are progressing, not-withstanding the limited experience of the yards in some of this work. Supervision is tight, inspections frequent, and the work rate high. The Dutchman, and perhaps the observant non-Dutchman might perceive a clear similarity with what he sees today in China, with what was to be seen in Rotter-dam in the 1950s. Hard work at the yards producing some great floating engineering. The current projects will provide Dockwise with a massive increase in carrying capacity, which undoubtedly will be well utilized in years to come.

Photography A v/D lElY

uPDatE On cOnvE rsiOns in china

A few words on how the great Dockwise conversion programme is progressing. Firstly some old news, the successor to the TRANSPORTER, the m.v. TARGET, was successfully handed over to Dockwise on 24 December 2007 and has been operating successfully since. Conversion of the remaining Frontline single hull Suezmax tankers to semi-submersible heavy lift format is in full progress, and the last four vessels will join the fleet in 2008.

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Yacht Express, the new vessel of Dockwise Yacht Transport, is equipped with Sea Keeper 1000 – a system for monitoring the quality of seawater and recording meteo and water data. This will enable DYT to contribute to understanding and protecting our environment.

Once the Yacht Express is en route, the seakeeper 1000 will take samples of seawater every three hours, and simultaneously record atmospheric conditions. the instruments will analyse the water for such parameters as temperature, salt content, oxygen and possible pollution levels. the measurements, the gPs position of the samples taken and the vessel’s speed over ground, will be automatically sent to the headquarters of the international seaKeepers society via an inmarsat C satellite connection. this is all a fully automated process. By doing this, the Yacht Express will help to monitor the environment of the oceans. the Yacht Express is the first DYt vessel to be equipped with the seakeeper.

“Because our vessels sail on fixed routes, we can collect data in the same sections of ocean, and in this way help to create a picture of the quality of the sea-water over time”. According to Clemens van der Werf, president of DYt, the analyses of the DYt vessels will provide a more accurate and complete overview than those of many private yachts equipped with the system, which usually sail in more restricted coastal areas in fixed seasons.

intErnatiOnal sEakEEPErs sOciEtyin 1988, a small group of yacht owners decided to set up seakeepers. they were worried about the rapidly decreasing condition of water quality in the world’s seas and oceans. to put this in the picture they commissioned development of a compact, affordable and automated data collection system. the data is made available to scientific institutes to give them insight into the progress of pollution. Of the ‘seakeeper 1000’ system, 50 have been installed on board cruise ships, freight vessels and private yachts, collectively forming a world-wide network.

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WDOck ISER

FurthErMOrE... gEt uPDatED On Our rEcEnt PrOJEcts

DOckwisE’s cOrE valuE PassiOn

thE Otc 2008 Read all about it

Nº4 2008 dockwise.com

MasthEaD Dockwiser is a publication of Dockwise Netherlands, Jacqueline van den Bergen, Danielle Biermans www.dockwise.com cOncEPt/rEalisatiOn Readershouse Brand Media +31 (0)20 3551010 / www.rhbm.nl art DirEctiOn Monique van Kessel translatiOn Roger Thurman/ETC PrEPrEss GPB Leiderdorp PrintED by Hollandia

Dyt suPPOrting intErnatiOnal sEakEEPErs sOciEty

the Yacht Express is a ‘cruise ship’ among the yacht transport vessels, partly thanks to luxury guest accommodation. From a technical point of view, it is an advanced ship because of its diesel-electrical drive and the Azipull thrusters.

“As a superintendent I’ve got the best job in the world” he says with a smile. “I get to spend 120 to 140 days a year abroad and 80 to 100 days a year at the office. Each voyage is different, exciting when the ship with its container cranes can just slip underneath a bridge, or when it has to submerge deeply to take big freight like submarines or drill rigs onboard.” Text HANs MARtENs Photography DOCKWisE

As superintendent Duyvestijn is responsible for preparations for and guidance of loading and unloading processes. He guides and discusses procedures to be followed with all the authorities and client staff involved. so far his career has taken him on some 300 trips. “in the first years we carried many different types of cargo, but over recent time i mainly transported container cranes. the idea now is to move more float-ing cargo such as drilling rigs. i’ve helped ship about 300 cranes. to get those things onboard, you have to lie at right angles to the quayside and sometimes that means partially closing the harbour. this requires a lot of careful discussions and some tight planning. transporting cranes is exciting when you have to go under a bridge as you may only have a metre of clearance between bridge and cranes. Of course this is all very

carefully calculated, but still … last year for example traffic across the bridge in los Angeles had to be brought temporarily to a halt. We were very close.”

He has good memories of three old swedish submarines that belonged to the singapore Navy. “to get those on deck, we had to submerge the ship really deeply.” Each journey offers different experiences; the ports are different, the tides can be high or low, you may suffer from currents and then again all may be calm, and so on. Preparations must be accurate, but one must also be ready to impro-vise every now and then. And the 80 to 100 days at the office? He uses those to advise clients and the com-mercial department, and unload his experience and practical knowledge on company engineers.

caPtain’s STORy

COR DUyVESTIJN In 1975 Cor Duyvestijn (52) joined shipping company van Ommeren as apprentice officer. In 1977, after a year as apprentice and after passing his finals at Nautical College, he was given a permanent contract. In 1979 he joined the newbuild Dock Express 12, a heavy cargo vessel of Dock Express Ship-ping, for which van Ommeren provided the crew. Twenty four years ago he was asked to take a position onshore for a year. That year became somewhat stretched.

dockwiser june 2008

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