Gibdock completes renewal of Technip’s Deep Blue

Gibdock has completed a significant assignment in the offshore market, after Technip entrusted the Gibraltar yard with the repair and renewal of Deep Blue – the flagship in its specialised pipelay and subsea construction fleet. 

Consolidating Gibdock’s reputation for redelivering high-value offshore assets on-time, on-budget and to the highest standards, repeat customer Technip relocated Deep Blue from the US Gulf for the works, also redeploying the asset outside Europe following completion of works. 

A well-known participant in ultra-deepwater field developments, Deep Blue includes an array of reel-lay, J-lay, and flexi-lay technologies. Featuring twin 2,800 MT capacity reels, the vessel lays pipes and cables at depths of up to 3,000meters (9,842 feet).

In the scheduled drydocking, Gibdock undertook steel and piping renewal works, hull and tank surface blasting and recoating, and the machinery overhauls to ensure Deep Blue remains in peak condition for the coming five years. 

“We are proud to have welcomed Deep Blue and once again work with Technip on a significant project,” said John Taylor, Managing Director, Gibdock. “Our team’s expertise and dedication ensure that we consistently deliver high-quality maintenance and repair services to meet the technical demands of complex offshore vessels while upholding the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.”

As part of the project, Deep Blue was raised 3.7m to rest on 428 blocks in Dock No. 1, to enable removal and overhaul of the ship’s eight thrusters. Continuing round the clock, seven days per week, works engaged around 600 personnel overall. 

“This was a highly successful project and an excellent example of the benefits of close collaboration with the client on planning and open dialogue throughout,” said John Barnard, Commercial Director at Gibdock. “We look forward to future opportunities to work with Technip by meeting the service excellence such a prestigious client requires.”

Completion continues a steady stream of work for Gibdock with leading offshore clients that showcases the yard’s efficiency. Despite an exceptionally busy period for the yard that has been heightened by strong demand for seasonal ferry work, Deep Blue was immediately followed into dock by a pipe layer from another returning offshore owner. Gibdock is also overhauling a jack-up platform bound for Australian waters. 

“Our strategic location at the gateway to the Mediterranean, our experienced team, and our commitment to excellence ensure that we are regularly preferred for offshore vessel maintenance and repairs,” said Barnard. “Alongside our work with owners of container ships, LNG carriers, bulk carriers, ferries, cruise ships, yachts and our defence vessels, we deal with offshore customers all over the world. Our experience is that once these highly discerning clients use Gibdock, they choose us again as opportunities arise.”

Gibdock is ideally positioned to serve offshore vessels transiting between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Its deepwater access, modern drydock facilities, and skilled workforce make it a preferred choice when asset owners require top-tier maintenance and repair services with minimal downtime.