TRANSFORMING MARINE ASSETS THROUGH CONVERSION

Marine companies allot huge capital expenditure towards acquisition of the assets to allow companies to generate long term inflow of revenue. The allocation of funds towards capital expenditure are very vital decisions which are taken with long term strategic goals in sight and with detailed planning. But the best of plans may get thrown off track dictated by unpredictable business environment and new business opportunities.

We at Vedam, benefit the businesses to stay relevant by adopting to changing needs through cost effective conversions of the marine assets. There was a similar need by a reputed business house for a water injection dredger (WID) for specific usage of maintaining their port. The quickest turn around and cost effective options was to convert an existing vessel into a feasible type dredger and carry out the necessary works.

The project undertaken was to convert a FiFi Tug to Water Injection Dredger which demonstrated our ability to transform assets which suits mission requirement.

The project involved conversion plan dealing with technical solutions and coordinating with administrative authorities for approval of the plans and changing the class notation.

Vedam conceptualized the whole engineering process including removal of existing systems and equipment belonging to redundant system and then planning to install equipment associated with dredging operation. The dredging equipment are massive and required careful planning to accommodate and ship them in location. Few of these equipment included injection pumps with two new gear boxes, injection ladder, A-frame to support the injection ladder with their associate systems and riggings. A master conversion plan was prepared to get over view of the activities involved.

Basic design followed the concept stage and plans were prepared after exhaustive calculations involving structural strength assessment, stability and statutory requirements complying to administrative authorities and class.

3D scanning of the vessel done to create digital mock-up of vessel and used for 3D modelling to route the pipes and locate the equipment.

The plans were approved by the class and submitted to client for conversion of vessel in their own repair facility. Whole process took place in a very economical and cost-effective manner. The vessel on completion was subjected to inclining experiment witnessed by Vedam culminating the project activities successfully.