COMMENTS ON MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT ON BOARD SHIPS AND IN SHIPYARDS

Abstract

Abstract

The operation of ships in demanding and dangerous hydrometeorological conditions contributes significantly to the structural damage of both the hull and the on-board systems and equipment, which inevitably leads to the shortening of the ship's technical compliance period. In addition, there are several economically disruptive factors, such as the evolution of the prices charged by shipyards for the execution of maintenance and repair works, or the prices in the market for the acquisition of the material resources necessary for these works. Classification societies are the ones that impose, through specific rules, the maintenance standards for ships. To ensure compliance with the requirements, ship owners and operators must demonstrate that their ships are in satisfactory technical condition and are properly maintained. The challenges posed by meeting maintenance standards on board ships are generated by the constant change of location (port of operation) and the absence of offshore service stations. Therefore, the planning and execution of maintenance activities are of critical importance. Maintenance and repair work required to be carried out in accordance with maritime vessel maintenance management systems cannot be fully performed without resorting to a shipyard for dry-docking. Dry-docking is carried out at predetermined time intervals because of the need to comply with the standards imposed by classification societies regarding the integrity of the vessel’s underwater hull and/or the functionality of onboard systems, installations, and equipment. An important issue concerns the planning of activities to be carried out in the shipyard, both with the vessel in dry dock and alongside the quay. The management of shipping companies must take measures to improve and develop maintenance management systems both on board vessels and during dry-docking periods. Consequently, maritime shipyards must also undergo processes of transformation, adaptation, and improvement of organizational performance to meet customer requirements. This paper aims to highlight certain aspects related to both on-board vessel maintenance and the management of maintenance and repair works carried out with the vessel in dry dock in shipyards. Issues related to corrective, preventive, predictive maintenance, as well as reliability-centered maintenance, are addressed.