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Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has developed a guide
outlining major methods and procedures involved
in ship lay-ups. The guide gives technical
assistance to shipowners focussing on the
maintenance of class, ship's safety as well as
the maintenance of operability.
It is
imperative that ships are laid up technically
correctly to reactivate the ship successfully
when the economic conditions are more favourable.
"With our guide we offer technical consultancy
support for the shipowners.
On
request, Germanischer Lloyd will also carry out
surveys serving purposes such as consultation
and cooperation in applying the necessary
measures", explains Carsten Beese, Head of
Competence Centre Fleet Service Management at
Germanischer Lloyd.
"The
most important question the owner has to clear
is: How long will the vessel be laid up?
Consequently, the owner has to take a decision
on whether to opt for a hot or cold lay-up."
Shutting down a ship is a complex technical
process. Additional to the technical challenges,
the coordination with local and national
authorities is important in the lay-up process.
Lay-up conditions are determined by any local
authority which has permitted vessels to be
anchored off its coast.
"The nature and extent of preservation required
are governed by criteria such as duration of the
lay-up time, place where the ship is laid up and
corresponding climatic conditions, as well as
general condition of the plant", Beese points
out.
A hot lay-up is used to deactivate a vessel for
a limited number of weeks.
Reactivating a ship from a hot lay-up can be
comparatively quick. The hot lay-up is achieved
by having a small crew onboard the vessel in
order to maintain full-time fire, leakage,
moorings and security watch of the vessel with
the minimum of machinery running. This ensures
that the machinery, electrical and electronic
systems are kept within tolerable temperature
and humidity conditions by a crew that is
familiar with the vessel. "Moisture is the main
challenge with laying up a vessel with its
complex software and circuitry", says Beese.
"The guide recommends that air is kept
de-humidified, as the consequences could be
costly."
In addition, onboard inspections can be easily
achieved as access is good, lighting is
operational and it is relatively easy to find a
berth for short term lay-up. There are scenarios
for hot lay-up, where vessels are out of service
for up to six months with reduced crewing levels
but adhere to flag and class rules in order to
be ready for quick reactivation.
For vessels that will be off the market for an
extended period, the most likely scenario is a
cold lay-up with a range of conditions placed on
the vessel.
"Effective reactivation from this type of deep
lay-up can take anything from three weeks to
three months, in the case of a five-year lay-up.
Cold lay-ups can save more money but the vessel
is out of service for at least a few months.
Reactivation, in this case, could take weeks",
explains Beese. "For that reason, many
shipowners opt for a hot lay-up while they
assess market conditions."
Source: Germanischer Lloyd | 
