Bourbon plans optimised docking strategy

In accordance with the group’s 2015 strategy plan, its planned growth is based on series-produced newbuild ships, which is intended to substantially reduce costs of maintenance as well as construction and procurement.

“Due to the rapid growth of Bourbon’s fleet, the company will standardise class dockings using common specifications for all sister ships,” said Stéphane Burgaud, Bourbon Docking managing director.

Bourbon Docking will employ a team to centralise purchases through one single entity, minimise vessel downtime and increase reliability, using permanent local stocks of spare parts and a network of in-house technicians sharing best practices across all Bourbon affiliates.

In 2012, 50% of all class dockings will be managed from Dubai and in 2013, all class dockings for Bourbon vessels will be managed by Bourbon Docking. The Dubai location was chosen as it allows business to be conducted with Asia during morning hours, and with Africa and America in the afternoon hours. Dubai is an important logistics hub, and the location allows Bourbon to limit the impact of exchange rates.

“Bourbon’s highly efficient maintenance programme is made possible by our built-in-series strategy,” explains Fabien Monleau, vice-president maintenance. “We are confident in our ability to reach the ‘Bourbon 2015 leadership strategy’ target rate of at least 95% vessel availability for Bourbon’s fleet by 2015.”