Unique dry dock completes journey of almost 9,000 miles to South Africa to boost region’s ocean economy.
One of Africa’s largest ship repair companies, Dormac Marine and Engineering has launched an R300m ($22m) composite floating dry dock in South Africa’s busiest port, Durban.
The state-of-the-art dry dock, Dormac 1, the first new ferroconcrete dock to be brought into use in Africa, and the purpose built 175 meter long quay that has been specifically designed for its attachment, will add to the Port of Durban’s ship repair capacity, taking advantage of the 30,000 ships that sail past South Africa’s coastline and the 12,000 ships that call in at its harbours annually.
On average, a ship is required to undergo a dry-docking for maintenance and repairs every five years. The new Dormac facility is expected to execute an additional 45 dockings per year, a significant increase in capacity. Its launch will
also result in the direct creation of 80 new jobs.
AGCS Africa insured the floating dock during its long journey to South Africa (see below). The insurance coverage will continue while it is at Durban’s newly constructed shipyard.
“AGCS is pleased to contribute towards the development of the marine and shipping industry in South Africa through our partnership with Dormac on this strategic project. The development is critical to the region’s ocean economy,” says Mark Govender, Technical Underwriting Manager, Marine, AGCS Africa. “This latest delivery in Durban is a critical infrastructural component in support of this initiative.”
The state-of-the-art dry dock, Dormac 1, the first new ferroconcrete dock to be brought into use in Africa, and the purpose built 175 meter long quay that has been specifically designed for its attachment, will add to the Port of Durban’s ship repair capacity, taking advantage of the 30,000 ships that sail past South Africa’s coastline and the 12,000 ships that call in at its harbours annually.
On average, a ship is required to undergo a dry-docking for maintenance and repairs every five years. The new Dormac facility is expected to execute an additional 45 dockings per year, a significant increase in capacity. Its launch will
also result in the direct creation of 80 new jobs.
AGCS Africa insured the floating dock during its long journey to South Africa (see below). The insurance coverage will continue while it is at Durban’s newly constructed shipyard.
“AGCS is pleased to contribute towards the development of the marine and shipping industry in South Africa through our partnership with Dormac on this strategic project. The development is critical to the region’s ocean economy,” says Mark Govender, Technical Underwriting Manager, Marine, AGCS Africa. “This latest delivery in Durban is a critical infrastructural component in support of this initiative.”
Facts & figures
- 17 days and 8,800 miles – Time taken, and distance travelled, by the Dormac 1 under tow to the tug Fairplay 33 from the Ukraine, where it was built, to South Africa
- 155 meters – length of the dock.
- 8,500 tons – lifting capacity of the dock. Has a total submersion depth of 11.8m
- 13,000 truckloads of soil or 130,000m² was excavated to accommodate the dock alongside a brand new quayside
- Ferroconcrete – concrete reinforced with steel. Dormac 1 is the first new ferroconcrete dock to be brought into use in Africa and the only facility of its kind in South Africa.
Download the Global Risk Dialogue
Read this article in Global Risk Dialogue. Appearing twice a year, Global Risk Dialogue is the Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty magazine with news and expert insights from the world of corporate risk.
Newsletter
Keep up to date on all news and insights from Allianz Commercial
