Docking

Vessel dry docking — tasks for shipyards, ship repair yards and contractors

Dry docking is the lifting of a vessel out of the water for inspection, repair and maintenance of the underwater part of the hull. This is a key operation in the life cycle of any vessel: without it, inspection, dock repair, propeller-rudder complex replacement or class renewal is impossible. The Steel Water task board publishes tasks for all types of dry docking — from scheduled survey to emergency lifting after damage.

Tasks are posted by shipowners, shipping companies, technical managers, insurance companies and fleet operators. Contractors are shipyards with dry and floating docks, slipways, lifting pontoons, as well as contractors performing work on a lifted vessel.

Types of dry dock work on the task board

• Scheduled dry docking — hull survey, cleaning, painting, zinc anode replacement, thickness measurement
• Dock repair — shell plating replacement, framing repair, crack welding, stern tube restoration
• Propeller-rudder complex repair — propeller removal, rudder repair, stern tube bearing replacement, shafting repair
• Emergency dry docking — lifting after grounding, collision, breach, flooding
• Underwater systems maintenance — sea chests, intake gratings, cooling systems, underwater hydraulics
• Class renewal — dock part of classification society survey
• Dry docking for modernisation — work requiring vessel lifting (propulsors, systems, equipment installation)
• Recycling and scrapping — dry docking before handing over for dismantling

What to specify in a dry docking task

• Vessel — name, type, IMO, flag, class, deadweight, length, beam, draught
• Type of dry docking — dry dock, floating dock, slipway, lifting pontoon, dock chamber
• Reason — scheduled, emergency, class renewal, modernisation, other
• Scope of work — hull, propulsors, systems, painting
• Timeline — desired docking window, allowed vessel downtime
• Location — region, port, nearest shipyards or alternatives
• Documents — defect lists, drawings, class requirements
• Additional — crane, floating crane, work at height, handling of paints and waste

What matters for shipyards and contractors

Dry docking is an operation where timing, availability of a free dock and infrastructure readiness are critical. When responding to a task, specify: dock type and dimensions, lifting capacity, allowed vessel length and beam, approach depth, crane and tug support, ability to perform the full scope of work (hull, propulsors, painting), experience with similar vessels, docking and undocking timeline, availability of certified specialists and classification society certificates. If the task is urgent — confirm readiness to accept the vessel within hours.

Safety and documents

Before dry docking, the following are prepared: docking plan, keel block and shore scheme, degassing and cleaning documents, hot work permit. After lifting, an inspection is performed, a scope of work list is prepared and agreed with the customer. Hull work, painting and anode replacement are documented by acts, reports and certificates. For classed vessels — all work is coordinated with the classification society. If you have experience with such coordination — mention it in your response.

Post dry docking tasks for free — find a shipyard with a suitable dock or a contractor for the work. Or respond if you have a free dock, berth, cranes and a team. All active tasks — in the Dry Docking section.

Currently on the task board there are 0 tasks.