Dales’ docks filling up

With 42 dockings at its Aberdeen facility in 2009, Dales averaged just four days a month when the dry dock was not occupied, making for one of its busiest years yet.

Vessels have included the usual mix of offshore industry supply vessels, workboats and ferries, including a catamaran, as well as tugs and a French fishing vessel. Owners making use of the 112m x 21m x 6.5m dock have ranged from UK and European firms all the way to American and Indian companies.

The peak of activity saw three dry docks in use by Dales simultaneously. These three contracts alone had a total value of some £520,000. The first, at the company’s Aberdeen dry dock, was on the Havila Fortress, which included tailshaft and thrusters surveys, painting and steelwork renewals, all completed over a two week period.

The second, a contract on the Fugro Meridian, followed initial work alongside at Montrose and meant reopening the Imperial Dock at Leith for the first time since Dales moved most of its operations to Aberdeen five years ago. Work included tailshaft repairs, pipe and steelwork renewal.

At the same time a week long programme of on the steelwork of the Dea Seeker was also being carried out in the dry dock at Fraserburgh on the northeast coast, a facility which is used regularly by Dales for contracts on oil industry and fishing vessels.

Repeat business is a feature of many bookings, the most recent being the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, Isle of Mull which has, for the second year been docked for around 15 days’ work before returning to duty on the west coast of Scotland. In fact, as far as next year is concerned there are 22 vessels, including nine vessels from one owner, already lined up for Aberdeen, accounting for more than half the facility’s capacity in 2010. Four other vessels have already been booked into the Fraserburgh facility.

The company also had another busy year undertaking ship repair and maintenance alongside at various ports, while its fabrication services have likewise been in demand.

Director and general manager, Michael Milne said, ‘The outlook is very positive for 2010, given dockings already booked and plans to tender for larger projects.