Gibdock Completes Work on Spirit of Adventure
Gibraltar-based Gibdock has recently completed a drydocking contract for UK-based Saga Holidays. Last month, the niche cruise operator docked the 9,570gt, 139m long Spirit of Adventure for a 10 day program of works, including steel repairs to the bulbous bow and a comprehensive external clean and repaint.
Richard Beards, Gibdock Commercial Director, comments: “This is another important breakthrough for the yard, as it is the first time we have had the opportunity to work for Saga, which has in the past used other yards in the region. The project was completed on time and within budget, and we are hopeful that we can build further on this initial collaboration through additional projects with Saga in the future.”
The 350-passenger capacity Spirit of Adventure was originally built by HDW in Germany as Berlin in 1980 and was acquired by Saga in 2005 for its Sprit of Adventure Cruises brand. The vessel, home ported in Dover, offers cruises to a wide range of destinations, including the UK, Scandinavia, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australasia, as well as the Mediterranean.
Cruise visitors to Gibdock so far in 2011 have included the 33,930grt, 215m long cruise vessel Thomson Celebration for first-time customer, Cyprus-based Columbia Ship Management. The ship docked in March for an extensive package of works that included general drydocking and tailshaft overhauls, as well as the renewal of around 40 tons of steel on one of its decks.
Gibdock’s ability to handle complex structural repair work on large cruise ships was also demonstrated towards the end of 2010 when it successfully completed demanding back-to-back repairs on two Pullmantur vessels, Empress and Sovereign. Both projects required significant amounts of steel renewal as well as routine drydocking work.
Facilities at Gibdock include three drydocks, the largest of which measures 272m x 38m x 10m, and two repair quays. As a result the company can handle the majority of cruise vessels operating in the region.
