Dock opens at Batangas

Philippines yard Keppel Batangas put its new graving dock into operation recently with the docking of locally owned passenger cargo vessel Super Ferry 8.

The new drydock measures 200 x 38m with 7m draft and is capable of handling handy-sized bulk carriers up to 40,000 dwt. It is equipped with two travelling dock arms to facilitate blasting and coating work, and has two ten tonne SWL cranes on each side. Other facilities include a water cooling and fire fighting system.

Provision has been made at the design stage and in yard layout to allow future expansion of the dock capacity to 70,000 dwt, should demand arise.

Work on Super Ferry 8, which has a passenger capacity of 2,900 and cargo capacity of 1,920 tonnes, included hull preservation, shaft repairs, CP propeller and rudder work, and electric motor overhaul.