Drydocks World-Dubai expands yard space with new FPSO quay
Geoff Taylor, Executive Chairman, Drydocks World, Grahame McCaig, General Manager, Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC and Hamed Mohammed bin Lahej, Executive Vice-Chairman, Drydocks World, inaugurate the new FPSO Quay (from left to right)
The new FPSO Quay is located on the lee face of the main breakwater, with a total length of 668m. Each new berth is more than 59m wide and is projected to increase Drydocks World-Dubai’s Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) conversion capacity by two vessels per year.
The completion of Berths 9 and 10 enable the shipyard to provide more lay-down and fabrication areas for the conversion of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to FPSOs. FPSOs usually dock for one to two years, occupying crucial yard space for repairing of vessels. The new berths, which currently operate with three cranes provides the much-needed additional space to meet growing customer demand.
Berth 10, which is at the seaward end of the quay, became operational with the berthing of an oil tanker now undergoing FPSO conversion. Berth 9 is fully operational for conversion works.
The conversion of "TI Asia", one of the four largest oil tankers in the world, and "Abuzar" are major assignments the company has taken up, reflecting its highest technical expertise and yard capability. Dubai is among the very few ports in the world that can host the mega ship "TI Asia", which will soon be converted into a FPSO at Drydocks World - Dubai.
www.drydocks.gov.ae
