Gibdock targets offshore oil and gas market

At the same time the Gibraltar-based yard will continue with repair and conversion work on vessels engaged in local trades, mainstay of its business, says md Richard Beards, who took up his position on March 1.

The pad, measuring 100mtr x 50mtr with 11 tons/sq mtr load bearing capacity, could be used as fabrication unit for topsides work or the building of accommodation blocks, Beards suggests, and will be the first of two to be built at the yard. Before that "we will establish our credentials by targeting straightforward packages, pre-assembled units and structural work before bidding on major fixed platform jobs," he says.

The yard has already received several enquiries for use of the new pad, but no firm bookings as yet. In the meantime it is "proving useful" for pre-fabrication work.

Gibdock's offshore-related repair and conversion work has risen steadily of late, from 10-12% of turnover four years ago to 34% in 2012. "Offshore work have been growing in both quantity and complexity," says Beard, pointing to the recently completed refit of seismic vessel WG Cook for Western Geco.

Gibraltar represents "a very good location" for attracting offshore work, he adds, since "for North Sea assets going down to Brazil, it's the last European location you can stop off at before crossing the pond."

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