Strela Shiprepair upgrades first GEFO tanker

One of 148 tankers operated by GEFO, the 99m Brahms was docked at Strela Shiprepair’s yard at the end of May. Located in the Volkswerft Maritime Industrial and Commercial Park, the yard repairs a range of vessels including coasters, workboats, offshore vessels and passenger ships. This is the first time it has repaired a GEFO tanker.

“We are delighted that we have been able to convince GEFO, one of the leading fleet operators in the tanker segment, to use our shipyard,” said Jan Tebbe-Simmendinger, managing director of Strela Shiprepair Yard.

The Brahms, which has a cargo volume of 4,178 tonnes, was scheduled for the ‘intermediate’ class, meaning that maintenance work had to be carried out in the shortest possible time.

All sea valves were overhauled and the rudder and propeller systems were measured and checked. The programme also included maintaining the numerous pump and tank lines, as well as cleaning the sea and anchor boxes and anchor chain. Finally, Brahms was given a new coat of paint.

In addition to maintenance, a complete ballast water treatment system was installed on board for the first time.

“There was more work than originally planned within the short timeframe, but we met the deadline in full,” said yard operations manager, Patrick Micklei.

In the first half of 2024, a total of 23 ships were docked at Strela Shiprepair Yard, continuing the successful trend from the previous year with a total of 40 docked units. Repair and maintenance work is mostly carried out in the steel sector, mechanical engineering and on propeller and shaft systems.