Floating Shipyard Design: Concept and Application

Shipyards often incorporate floating structures as elements within their facilities, for example floating docks for drydocking vessels requiring repairs or maintenance and pontoons to provide berths for smaller support vessels, such as tugs and workboats. However, the concept of a shipyard comprised exclusively of floating structures is considered herein. Floating shipyard facilities are particularly suitable for locations with naturally deep water, where floating structures may be more economical due to lower capital construction costs relative to land based facilities (e.g. floating docks versus graving docks). Similarly, fabrication of floating structures can be conducted off site, often benefiting from modular construction and providing more economical solutions relative to in situ construction. In addition, modular approaches to aspects such as power production may be incorporated, e.g. using modular power plants on floating barges. For appropriate operational conditions within the yard facility and acceptable downtime, relatively tranquil metocean conditions are required at the site, i.e. limiting structural movements for the benefits of equipment (e.g. cranes) and personnel. As such, typical suitable locations will be either naturally sheltered or provided with adequate breakwaters. Benefits of such a floating shipyard include the flexibility to more readily adapt the facility when required and potentially re-locate all or part of the shipyard if required due to changes in market conditions. Floating shipyards are likely to be more suitable for ship repair and not for shipbuilding, which typically requires more extensive workshop and assembly areas. In addition to an overview of the floating shipyard concept, relevant examples are provided from an ongoing project under development in a remote location in Angola, West Africa, that is ideally suited to the concept.