Size matters for Oresund

The company, which changed its name from Öresundsvarvet to reflect its changing focus, is investing in a new, larger dry dock which will have a 275m length, 45m width and 10m depth – all to be ready by 2012.

Oresund DryDocks tells MJ that it is seeing a rise in vessel sizes, and predicts that customer’s requirements will likewise increase. The company adds that very often its existing dry dock is fully booked, so it has taken the decision to invest in a larger dry facility to continue to give a comprehensive service – this includes established local customers as well as the rising number now calling from a distance.

The total indoor area has now increased to 60,000 square metres of workshops, assembly halls and office facilities and equipment after the purchase (originally owned by Landskrona Varvet, part of the Bergen Group). The company explains that together this gives almost unlimited opportunities for large prefabricated steel constructions for shipping and off-shore as well as shore-based markets.

The existing dry dock – which measures 195m long by 34m with a 7m depth has recently had a new azimuth pit installed, which gives the dry dock a 9m by 5m section with an additional 3.1m depth. ‘The new pit gives us extra capability when overhauling a ship’s azimuth propeller,’ says a company spokesman.

The next step is to implement plans for renewal and upgrading of the cranes as well as modification of the quays. One 80 ton crane shall be moved from the new builds part of the shipyard and will be installed as a service crane situated on the existing dry dock. Quays shall be reinforced for the future heavy repair and transport works, and this should be completed according to the current maintenance plan.

Even though the shipping business is generally still suffering from the economic downturn, the number of dockings and repairs been fairly good at Oresund DryDocks during 2010.

Among the projects recently completed by the facility have been three off-shore vessels for Transatlantic which needed to be converted between ice-breaker and off-shore missions, including both normal docking works as well as the installation of oil spill recovery units. Along with this there has been preparation of I/B Oden in-between its missions to the Arctic and Antarctic for the Swedish Polar research institute. Further, there was docking and accommodation retrofitting of Viking Lines M/S Isabella, and the decommissioning of North Ocean 102 prior to redelivery from its charter as cable layer for ABB.