The P&O Cruises Grand-class cruise ship Ventura recently completed a two-week docking at Damen Shiprepair Brest, in France.

Launched in 2008, this was the first visit of the 290 m, 116,000 DWT vessel to the yard, where it underwent a regular docking together with a range of maintenance works, said a statement.
 
Major features of the maintenance programme included the installation of two exhaust gas scrubbers, for which Damen Shiprepair Brest (DSBr) designed, manufactured and installed a sea chest, it added.

While the Ventura was in DSBr’s Drydock number 3, at 420 m by 80 m the largest of DSBr’s three dry docks, the hull was ultra-high-pressure water blasted and then, along with the superstructure, repainted. Additional works included maintenance of the propulsion systems and stabilisers, plus other minor repairs, it said.

As with all cruise ship dockings, completing the works within the scheduled period was absolutely critical with the Ventura due to depart Southampton on March 28, on a 12-day cruise to the Canary Islands, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal.

The logistics were particularly challenging, with a wide range of subcontractors needing access to the vessel both inside and out, and hundreds of containers, trucks and garbage skips to be positioned around the dock and manoeuvred as necessary during the two-week period.

As always, meticulous planning and exact specification of all the different tasks to be undertaken took place in the months before her arrival. That, plus excellent organisation while she was in the yard, was the key to success. In the event, the Ventura departed DSBr on March 26, with all works completed and in top shape for her 3,574 passengers and 1,220 crew.

Patrick Renavot, managing director, Damen Shiprepair Brest, said: “This is the first time that we have welcomed a vessel owned by Carnival (which operates the P&O Cruises brand).”

“We were delighted that the project was a success. All planned work was finished on time and the vessel returned to its busy schedule on schedule,” he said.

“As cruise ships expand in terms of both numbers and size, we hope to see our general activity in this sector grow. With two dry docks of 420-m and 338-m respectively plus a convenient and easily-accessed location for cruise ships entering and leaving the Atlantic, DSBr has much to offer owners and operators looking for yards capable of meeting their specific needs,” he added.

In recent years, the yard has made substantial investments in its facilities including an enhanced black and grey water disposal capability and a new fire and cooling water supply system.

The yard also features ample owners’ storage, extensive laydown areas and spacious temporary workshops for subcontractors. There is even an adjacent container terminal. The yard has a constructive relationship with the local authorities and, with a culture at the yard based on maximising safety and cooperation, customers can rely on a committed, efficient service at every level, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service