Gibdock Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Gibdock Shipyard and Armada Technologies Ltd. are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the integration of Armada's proprietary air lubrication system, the Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), into vessels serviced by Gibdock. This agreement marks a significant step towards enhancing energy efficiency and reducing harmful emissions in the maritime industry. Innovative PALS System The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both organisations to provide more energy-efficient solutions for vessels.  Armada Technologies, known for its innovative PALS System, which reduces fuel consumption and operating costs, will work closely with Gibdock to explore the business opportunities and technical feasibilities of installing the system on vessels being repaired by Gibdock. Installations of PALS Gibdock and Armada Technologies jointly explore structures of PALS on vessels According to the terms of the MoU, Gibdock and Armada Technologies will jointly explore potential installations of PALS on vessels, under licence from Armada Technologies. This cooperation includes technical and commercial support from Armada to ensure successful implementation.  "Signing this MoU is a significant milestone in our mission to promote sustainable shipping practices," said Simon Gillett, CEO of Balaena Ltd, Gibdock’s owners. Second-generation system Simon Gillett added: "We are excited to collaborate with Armada Technologies to continue to bring innovative, energy-efficient solutions to our clients." Armada Technologies' CEO, Alex Routledge, stated: "PALS has the potential to transform the way vessels operate, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective by using less fuel. We look forward to working with Gibdock to offer our second-generation system to more vessels."

Gibdock, a pioneering ship repair yard, is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. John Barnard to its team. With over 15 years of experience in the ship repair and ship building industries, John's wealth of knowledge and leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing Gibdock's capabilities. A graduate from the University of Southampton with a Masters degree in Ship Science in 2008, John began his career as a Naval Architect at Cammell Laird in the UK. His journey in the maritime sector has been marked by diverse roles, encompassing technical, commercial, and production functions across both defence and commercial markets. Extensive industry experience John has garnered extensive experience as a Ship Manager, successfully overseeing projects John has garnered extensive experience as a Ship Manager, successfully overseeing projects such as military refits, passenger ferry conversions and lengthening initiatives, in-service support contracts, and offshore mobilisations and de-mobilisations. Notably, he has served as Project Director for prestigious projects, including three newly built ferries and the Type 45 Power Improvement Project. In his previous role as Technical Director at Cammell Laird, John was responsible for pioneering the technical, bids, estimating, and planning teams. His expertise and leadership were integral to the success of projects with high-profile customers, including the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier builds, the Type 45 Power Improvement Project, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Cluster contracts. Gibdock's growth and success "We are thrilled to welcome John Barnard to Gibdock at this exciting juncture in our journey," remarked Simon Gillett, Owner and CEO, adding "His exceptional track record in managing and pioneering diverse maritime engineering projects aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. We look forward to leveraging his expertise as we continue to strengthen Gibdock's position as a pioneering engineering and ship repair facility." John's appointment comes at a time when Gibdock is strategically positioning itself for a vibrant maritime future. His proven leadership and project management skills are expected to contribute significantly to Gibdock's growth and success.

A seamless application of shipping’s first antifouling coating to successfully integrate highly durable graphene provides further evidence that Gibdock’s remains ahead of the curve as a ship repair and conversion yard geared up for a sustainable maritime future. The Gibraltar yard recently hosted the Vulica Shipping Company-owned bulk carrier - Donald M James for a 30-day project, which brought a first opportunity to work with a new type of coating from GIT Coatings (Graphite Innovation & Technologies Inc). The 229 m length ship entered Gibdock’s No.1 Dock for extensive works, including renewal of cargo holds, piping, thrusters, tail shafts, and rudders. GIT’s hard foul release coatings have had a breakthrough year in 2023, due to graphene’s impact GIT’s hard foul release coatings GIT’s hard foul release coatings have had a breakthrough year in 2023, due to graphene’s impact resistance and the absence of biocides, ultra-low VOC content, but also because their smooth finish minimises drag and cuts ship emissions. Self-cleaning at 10-12 knots, the hull coating XGIT-FUEL boosts ship efficiency by 7-10% and can be applied in wide-ranging yard conditions, from −5°C to 40°C. Ship efficiency and sustainability Richard Beards, Managing Director, Gibdock, said that the Donald M James project fully aligned with the yard’s strategy for supporting owners to retrofit, apply and integrate solutions that benefit ship efficiency and sustainability.   “In line with revised International Maritime Organisation targets on GHG emissions for 2030, 2040 and 2050, Gibdock continues to seek out work that enables decarbonisation in shipping,” stated Richard Beards. He adds, “In this case, we renewed our relationship with Wilhelmsen Ship Management, which approached us on behalf of the owner to take on our first graphene-based coatings project. Donald M James was redelivered on time, on budget and to what GIT’s inspectors considered exceptional standards.” XGIT-FUEL topcoat XGIT-FUEL topcoat was applied to the ship’s vertical sides, with XGIT-PROP applied in three layers Gibdock’s coatings team took the application of the patented coating formulation in stride, said John Taylor, Operations Director, Gibdock. XGIT-FUEL topcoat was applied to the ship’s vertical sides, with XGIT-PROP applied in three layers to the 7.3 m propeller after grit blasting.  “No special hoses or spray tips were required; our team handled this job as a routine part of the project,” said John Taylor.    Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Gibdock has consistently delivered on sustainability. Its workload has included multiple exhaust gas scrubber and ballast water management system retrofits, LNG-fuelled engine servicing and installation of energy-saving devices. EU’s Green Deal directives  “Our role is to support shipping as it responds to the IMO’s decarbonisation targets and the EU’s Green Deal directives,” said Richard Beards, adding “The picture on future fuels is confused, while making the right investments on sustainability also depends on a vessel’s type, age and operating profile, among other factors." He continues, "Yards need to be flexible and ready to offer customers the full range of options, whether their priority is alternative fuels, energy saving, emissions abatement or carbon capture.” Gibdock was also able to demonstrate agility in accommodating the ship at short notice Coatings supplier GIT added that the innovative project had been initiated by owner Vulica, whose proactive approach to energy-saving and sustainability had led on to a swift greenlight. Gibdock was also able to demonstrate agility in accommodating the ship at short notice, following a change in plans from the initially scheduled drydock. Part of broader investments “This project ranks as another successful application thanks to all the partners involved, reinforcing the growing reputation of our hard foul release coatings as one of the simplest ways to improve vessel efficiency and protect the environment,” said Maiko Arras, Director of Business Development Europe, GIT Coatings. Gibdock’s focus on sustainability has been redoubled under the ownership of Balaena, the UK-based sustainable engineering company that took over the yard last year. Gibdock has since added to its environmentally responsible ultra-high-pressure water systems for hull cleaning and now has its own reverse osmosis plant to supply industrial-grade water. Gibdock also recently extended its shore power connections for ships in the yard to include three 360 Hz frequency converters as part of broader investments in its electricity network.