Drydocks hosts largest ever tanker

The largest ever tanker to have entered Malta, the ULCC Atlantic Prosperity, has this week moved
into dock number six at the Malta
Drydocks. The Panamanian-
registered 316,676 ton vessel has been moved from the Ricasoli Tank Cleaning Farm, where she berthed on arrival last Thursday, and has proceeded to dock number six. Works are expected to include normal dry-docking work, blasting and painting and tail-shaft withdrawal.
During the 15-day dry-docking, extensive overhauling of the main engine and auxiliary machinery, some steel repairs and pipework will also be carried out.
Malta Drydocks has been going through a successful period since early summer. In fact, all docks are now being occupied. Ships presently at the yard include the Libyan Garyounis, the Ukrainian cruise ships Paloma and Palmira and the Hong Kong registered Southern Venture.
This past week brought very good news for the ‘yard. In fact, Malta Drydocks won a Lm2.7m conversion contract, which was awarded by Brovig-RDS of the UK. Over 30 other shipyards had made bids for the tender. The contract involves converting the mt Northia to a floating production, storage and off-loading unit. Once completed, the new vessel will start operating from Tunisia.
Work on the vessel will take place in dock number six between February and April of next year. Malta Drydocks will be subcontracting certain parts of the workload to international contractors.
The Northia was formerly an oil tanker owned by Shell Oil, which operated in the North sea as a shuttle tanker. The ship was built in the early 1970s.
Commenting on this contract, Drydocks chairman John Cassar White said such an award signifies the new strategic approach being adopted by the ‘yard.
The contract is expected to record a marked improvement in the ‘yard’s finances, with losses being reduced significantly.