Vietnam Shiprepair completed the full restoration of a damaged deck crane working platform on a feeder container vessel at Cai Mep Port, Vietnam, after a container struck the platform during cargo operations. The deformation created safety risks for personnel carrying out routine crane maintenance and affected the equipment’s condition, the yard said.
Carried out to IACS class requirements, IMO guidelines and industry best practices for pilot transfer arrangements, the work was completed by Vietnam Shiprepair. Certified welders and fitters executed the repair rapidly to avoid disruption to cargo handling or the vessel’s schedule, and returned the platform to its original condition.
At a port without adequate shore-crane capacity, the platform had been deformed when a container hit it during loading and unloading. The repair restored safe access for maintenance tasks and, the yard said, met the shipowner’s requirements for operational safety and visual appearance.
Feeder container ships often rely on their own deck cranes when calling at ports that lack suitable shore-side handling equipment. The operating platform, or working platform, is essential for safe maintenance, inspection and routine servicing of those cranes, Vietnam Shiprepair said.
When a platform is deformed by container impact, the yard said, it creates immediate hazards for crew and technicians working at height, raises the risk of further damage and can lead to shortcomings during inspections. Prompt repair restores structural integrity. It protects the vessel’s operating schedule.
Repair sequence at Cai Mep Port
Vietnam Shiprepair said it carried out a controlled repair process at Cai Mep Port designed to minimise the effect on cargo operations. The work began with a detailed inspection of the deformed platform to assess the extent of the impact damage.
Then the work area was secured, and safe access prepared while cargo operations continued as far as practicable. Deformed sections were removed, and steel renewal or straightening was carried out to restore the original geometry.
Certified welders and fitters performed welding and fabrication using approved procedures. The structure was then realigned and reinforced to its original design condition.
Protective coating was applied and a final inspection completed to confirm structural strength, safety and appearance. Vietnam Shiprepair said the restored platform fully supports safe maintenance activities on the deck crane.
Planned and executed to avoid delays to cargo handling and the vessel’s sailing schedule, the entire process was described that way by the yard. On feeder container ships, it said, delays linked to deck crane equipment can quickly affect berth productivity and schedule reliability.
Marine services in Vietnam
Vietnam Shiprepair said its marine services are available at Cai Mep Port and across Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh Port and Anchorage, Hai Phong Port, and Phu My Port – Vung Tau Anchorage. It said it has full capability to support vessels at any port or anchorage nationally.
In addition to deck crane platform repair, the yard listed motor rewinding, machinery and reconditioning of engine components, and hull repairing, including steel works and piping replacement.
It said the company supports vessels at Cai Mep Port, Ho Chi Minh Port and Anchorage, Hai Phong Port, Phu My Port – Vung Tau Anchorage, and all other ports and anchorages throughout Vietnam.
Vietnam Shiprepair said selecting the yard for deck crane platform repair delivers speed, technical accuracy and commercial protection. Damage assessment, steel restoration and final inspection are managed with a focus on returning the platform to its original condition using certified welders and fitters, it said.
Every deck crane platform repair project is executed with rigorous planning, approved procedures and strict safety protocols, the yard said. It said the restored platform provides full structural integrity, safe access for maintenance and compliance with the shipowner’s requirements.