For shipyard DCD Marine Cape Town, maintaining strong relationships with key clients is integral to the success of the business. One of South Africa’s most established ship repair companies, DCD Marine Cape Town has built its loyal client base - both locally and internationally - on a solid reputation and proven track record for successful repair and maintenance projects in the oil and gas sector specifically.

The company has successfully been awarded another contract to undertake the special periodic survey for the semi-submersible drilling rig, Scarabeo 7, owned by international drilling contractor Saipem. “This award is testament to our overall performance in this sector over the past few years. Our aim, in providing a full turnkey service to our clients, is to assure them of our commitment to the highest international standards in overseeing the entire project, end-to-end,” says Gerry Klos, General Manager of DCD Marine Cape Town.

“Since the vessel’s last visit to Cape Town in 2008, we have gained a wealth of experience which works in the client’s favour for the Scarabeo 7 project.”
The scope of work , to be conducted at DCD Marine Cape Town’s A-Berth facility, includes the renewal of approximately 200 tons of steel; removal, inspection and maintenance of the thrusters; and blasting and coating in various areas of the rig.  A substantial portion of the work will include the fabrication, installation and outfitting of a new accommodation module. In addition, an extensive amount of pipework will be undertaken in various areas on board the vessel.

Over the past five years, DCD Marine Cape Town has been servicing Saipem in the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of their construction and drilling vessels. These include the Scarabeo 3, Saipem 3000 and Saipem FDS. “We successfully conducted the Scarabeo 3's special periodic survey last year at A-Berth, a project of similar scope to Scarabeo 7,” explains Charles Ravells, Senior Project Manager for DCD Marine Cape Town. “Saipem therefore has first-hand experience of A-Berth and is assured of our world-class, internationally competitive facilities there,” Ravells continues. “The Port of Cape Town’s A-Berth is strategically located in terms of suppliers, service providers and classification societies.  In addition, water depth allows for the thrusters to be removed at the quayside, and laydown area is available for temporary storage of any equipment which will be loaded and back-loaded onto the rig.

Another advantage is the availability of a 350 ton crawler crane and tower crane.  All these elements will play a pivotal role in the overall smooth running of the project,” he points out. The Scarabeo 7 is scheduled to arrive in Cape Town from Angola during November/December this year, and the DCD Marine Cape Town team are currently in the planning phase for the project. “We are excited at the opportunity afforded to us to service a well-respected client such as Saipem. As always, we aim to raise the bar in all aspects of our operations in terms of safety performance, planning, technical capability, productivity and on-time delivery,” concludes Klos