Colombo Dockyard repairs German ship

The vessel was accommodated in Drydock number one (30,000 DWT) which is ideally suited to handle container carriers among other types of vessels. Yard teams worked in a well planned manner to ensure that the vessel was re-delivered on time.

MV Fancourt Kontor (DWT: 13,834, LOA:147.80 M, Beam: 23.25 M) managed by Rickmers Shipmanagement of Germany, called in for drydock repairs during mid December 2014. The container carrier trading in the regional waters selected Colombo as the repair centre for her special survey. Rickmers Shipmanagement GMBH and Cie.KG have a fleet of over 100 vessels, owned by Rickmers Group. The shipping company has a historical background dating back to1834. The business was secured as a result of the contacts generated at SMM, Hamburg, where Colombo Dockyard's abilities were showcased to the German marine fraternity.

This is the first instance where a Rickmers vessel had called for drydocking and lay up repairs over the recent past. The exclusive representative in Germany for Colombo Dockyard M/s. Combitrade GMBH played a key role in coordination of the project.

The drydocking repairs were completed within nine days. The strategic geographical location of Colombo Dockyard, close to the main sea routes, minimised any down time for the managers as she was taken directly to drydocks upon completing her discharge of cargo in the port of Colombo.

The project team was headed by Ship Manager D S Arangala who was supported by all production departments. The owner's interests were looked after by Deputy Fleet Manager, Fleet Team Hamburg, Miroslaw Szambelan.

The repairs were carried out meeting the Germanshire Lloyd class society standards. M/s. Wilhelmsen Ships Service handled the local husbanding work.