Gibdock ensures French Con-Ro Departs on Schedule

Gibdock, the Gibraltar-based shiprepair facility, has once again underlined its expertise and well-proven capabilities in the ro-ro cargo vessel sector by carrying out an extensive package of work on the 12,049dwt, 160m long ro-ro container ship, MN Tangara in June and July this year. Owned by Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (CMN), the 2013-built, French flagged vessel was docked at Gibdock for a 12-day program of works, with the client stressing there was no scope for delay in redelivery.

Filip Tsankov, ship repair manager, said: “CMN told us the date for departure was crucial, as there was no spare time in the ship’s schedule. We were able to finish a significant quantity of work, carrying out multiple tasks in parallel with each other, to ensure that MN Tangara left Gibraltar exactly on time and to the client’s satisfaction.” The vessel entered drydock on 24th June and left on July 6th, allowing the ship to sail from Gibraltar the following day.

During its time in Gibdock, MN Tangara required an extensive amount of painting, extending over most areas of the vessel, including the hull, superstructure, funnel, crane and free-fall davits. In total, a surface area of 12,300m2 was painted by Gibdock’s repair teams over an 11-day period.

Propulsion works were performed simultaneously with the hull painting, and the 18 electric motor rotors were also overhauled and rebalanced while the vessel was in dock. The scope of work further included the renewal of stern tube seals by in-situ bonding; the overhaul of sea and overboard valves; repairs to piping and system valves; the renewal of pipe insulation materials; and safety valve testing. In addition, Gibdock’s experienced shiprepair team overhauled most of the car deck ventilation fans, cleaned and inspected four electrical generators and undertook various electrical repairs.

This was the first time that MN Tangara had visited the yard, and only the second occasion that CMN had used Gibdock’s drydock services. Mr Tsankov says: “We worked well with what is a fairly new customer for us, to ensure its needs were fully met, and were able to demonstrate that we can carry out a large amount of work to a high standard, within a quite demanding time frame. We have built up good co-operation with CMN on this project and hope to welcome them back as a customer soon.”

Part of the French Sogestran group, which owns and operates a fleet of around 200 river- and ocean-going vessels, CMN has a fleet of five ro-ro and con-ro ships. MN Tangara is deployed on a time charter with the French Ministry of Defense, providing logistics support to French bases in foreign countries and in overseas departments and territories.