Qatar-based shipyard N-KOM, a joint venture of LNG shipping giant Nakilat and Singapore’s Keppel Offshore & Marine, has teamed up with classification society ABS to work on remote surveys of vessels.
The joint development project (JDP) plans to explore how techniques developed by ABS can be carried out on rudder clearance inspection and how they can be applied to surveys and inspections in the shipyard.
According to a joint statement, the partners would apply remote inspection technologies to six Class surveys for this trial.
Also, the examination would include the inspection of stern tube wear down, rudder plug opening and fit-up inspections prior to welding.
They will also test the boiler safety valve and carry out final weld visual inspection of non-critical items.
This would optimize scheduling and minimize downtime for both the shipyard, vessels and ABS, the statement said.
Damir Glavan, chief executive officer at N-KOM, said the JV has worked closely with the classification society to develop the remote inspection technique which would enhance the company’s operational efficiency during the vessel repair and maintenance process.
This collaboration comes after the Qatari LNG shipping giant revealed in January it had joined forces with the classification society to develop its decarbonization strategy.
Nakilat said it had worked closely with ABS sustainability specialists in the prior months to map out decarbonization pathways for the company’s fleet of 69 LNG carriers but also four very large LPG gas carriers.
In the meantime, the LNG shipping giant boosted its fleet to 74 vessels when it took delivery of a newbuild carrier.