Globally renowned and respected ship management company MTM Ship Management Pte Ltd, based in Singapore was founded in 1988 to manage a fleet of 8 chemical tankers. Their competitive service has seen significant growth, with the organisation now managing over 60 vessels for owners based in Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, USA and the United Kingdom.

We were approached by MTM to provide a full scope of products and services which would successfully overhaul the propulsion seals and bearings, along with the rudder seals onboard the MTM-owned Fairfield. A 15-year-old chemical tanker, she was undergoing her 3rd special survey and drydocking out of Cosco Chang Xing Shipyard in Shanghai, China. MTM were confident that with the technical expertise and experience, we could competitively deliver this project within their permitted dry docking timeframes.

We were contracted to project manage, oversee and supervise the tail shaft removal and overhaul of the stern tube seal and replacement of the stern tube bearings along with the overhaul of the vessel’s rudder seal.

Initial Scope

• Supply and installation of water-lubricated seal assembly.
• Forward bearing supply and installation.
• Aft bearing supply and installation

The Project

During initial discussions, we worked closely with MTM to share relevant technical information on the vessel and equipment. This allowed us to refine the work scope and create a plan of work. The creation of the work plan also highlighted areas of the project where there was potentially higher risk. Identified risks were mitigated as required.

The result of this allowed us to propose a planned schedule of drydock activities, identifying responsibilities, timescales and work procedures where required; in addition to the supply of all required seal and bearing parts and tooling. The preparation and planning for the dock were also project managed by us, with all equipment, designed, manufactured and delivered in conjunction with the arrival of an expert engineer at the dry dock project.

Once in dry dock, we were requested to support activities beyond the original scope, which were, without difficulty, undertaken as part of the overall project management work package, which included activities such as; customer liaison, supplier management, and staff & yard supervision.

We successfully completed the Dry Docking of Fairfield with the commissioning of the overhauled equipment. The Project Management was completed with a comprehensive technical report of the work carried out including all value-adding findings presented. MTM has since employed the services of us for two further vessel dockings.

Technical Information

Shipyard: Cosco Chang Xing Shipyard in Shanghai, China 26.09.17 – 14.10.17

Owner: MTM Ship Management Pte Ltd

Type of vessel: Chemical Tanker

Commissioned: 2002, IMO: 9264465

Total Power: 9600 PS (7061KW @ 133 RPM)

Shaft Arrangement: Single steel shaft line with flanges and fitted bolts comprising 1 x intermediate shaft and 1 x tail shaft. Tail shaft with bronze liners at seawater-lubricated bearing positions.

Propeller: 1 x five-blade, bronze fixed pitch with keyway & taper 5.1m diameter

Sterntube Bearings: Retrofit or original bearings to Composite material; ACM L2M