An oil tanker required a complete main engine overhaul. The work therefore had to be carried out on location at the Khorfakkan Anchorage, with the vessel afloat in open water. Our team mobilised to meet her there.

Overhauling a Main Engine in Open-Water Conditions

Anchorage work removes the advantages of a controlled yard environment. Rough sea states presented a continuously moving working platform, while regional uncertainties introduced additional pressure on vessel movements and project timelines. Every tool, component, and spare had to be transported to the vessel and managed on board, without the support of an adjacent workshop.
These factors are material. A main engine overhaul is exacting work under optimal conditions; performing it on a floating platform, against a demanding schedule, raises the operational complexity considerably. The measure of the project was not technical knowledge alone, but the ability to maintain rigorous standards in an environment offering none of the usual controls.

Scope of Work Completed

The following scope was completed in full, at anchorage:
  • Complete main engine overhaul
  • Renewal of all main bearings
  • Turbocharger overhaul and inspection
  • Governor servicing and calibration
  • Full decarbonisation of engine components
  • Comprehensive inspection, measurement, and reassembly
Dismantling a main engine to its bearings and rebuilding it to specification is demanding in any setting. Executing it while the vessel remained afloat — holding measurement tolerances, maintaining component cleanliness, and reassembling to full yard standard — required a markedly higher degree of discipline and control.

Minimising Vessel Downtime Through Round-the-Clock Execution

The project was delivered through meticulous planning and round-the-clock shift work. The full scope was completed within a remarkably short timeframe, which was decisive: every hour the engine remained open was an hour the vessel was out of service. Completing the work efficiently, and to standard, returned the vessel to operation with minimal downtime.

Why Ship Repair at Anchorage Matters for Vessel Operators

Many yards are equipped to overhaul a main engine within a dry dock. Fewer can deliver the same work at anchorage, afloat, and under difficult conditions, while upholding equivalent standards of workmanship, safety, and quality.
Our clients’ vessels do not always operate within reach of a suitable yard, and cannot always be taken out of service. The capability to deliver a full overhaul on location — wherever the vessel lies — allows us to support them when it matters most. This project stands as a further demonstration of that capability, and of the professionalism and resilience of our marine engineering team. Our thanks go to every member whose commitment made it possible.
For major engine work that cannot wait for a dry dock, Grandweld delivers full overhaul capability on location. Contact our team to discuss your vessel’s requirements.