What is a Shipyard? Here are the Types, Process Methods, and Facilities!

A shipyard is a specialized facility or place used to build, repair, maintain, and preserve ships. Shipyards are usually located on the shores of a sea, river, or other body of water large enough to allow easy access for ships to be built or repaired. Check out the types, methods, and facilities of shipyards through the following article TransTRACK!

Types of Shipyards

Shipyards can be classified based on the type of work performed. The following are common types of shipyards:

Building Dock Shipyard

In this shipyard, they build new ships from scratch. They have a team that designs the ship according to the customer’s wishes and starts construction from scratch. They have a large space where they assemble all the parts of the boat, such as the hull, deck, and other parts. Once the ship is completed, they launch it into the water for testing and final finishing before handing it over to the owner. The ships produced here can be merchant ships, passengers, tankers, or even warships.

Repair Dock Shipyard

Here, ships that are already in operation come to be repaired or maintained. For example, if there is any damage to the hull, engine or navigation equipment, they will repair it. They also carry out regular maintenance to ensure the vessels remain in good condition. These shipyards have facilities such as drained docks to access the underside of the ship, workshops to repair machinery and equipment, and storage for spare parts.

Building and Repair Dock Shipyards

These shipyards can do both: build new ships and repair existing ones. They have complete facilities for both types of work. The advantage is their flexibility; they can handle different types of projects, from new shipbuilding to repair and maintenance of existing vessels. This makes them crucial in supporting the maritime industry as a whole.

Methods During the Docking Process

During the docking process, there are several methods used to access the bottom of the ship and perform repairs or maintenance. Here are the three main methods:

1. Tug Dock (Slipway Dock)

A tug dock, also known as a slipway dock, is a method in which a ship is pulled ashore using a tug system. The ship is pulled ashore via an inclined track called a slipway. The slipway is usually made of strong concrete or metal. When the vessel arrives at the slipway, it is towed ashore using a specialized crane or tractor. Tug docks are typically used for small to medium-sized vessels which allows them to be towed ashore with relative ease. Once the vessel is ashore, repair or maintenance work can be carried out on its underside.

2. Pond Dock or Graving Dock

A pond dock or graving dock, also known as a graving dock, is a dock designed to allow a ship to enter the dock, then the dock is drained so that the ship is on land with water removed from the dock. This allows full access to the underside of the ship for repairs, cleaning, and other work. Pool docks are usually made with strong concrete or metal structures and are equipped with sluice gates that can be sealed to avoid water from re-entering the dock while the vessel is in it.

3. Floating Dock

A floating dock is a floating platform that can sink and refloat by adjusting the volume of water in it. A ship is placed on a floating dock, and then the dock sinks so that the ship is underwater. Afterward, water is pumped out of the dock so that the dock floats again and the ship is on land. Floating docks are very flexible as they can be used for a wide range of vessel sizes. They can also be moved from one location to another with relative ease.

Each docking method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the size of the vessel, the type of work to be performed, and the preference of the shipyard or repair facility.

Shipyard Facilities

Facilities at a shipyard can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the shipyard. Here are some common facilities that can be found in shipyards:

1. Office

The office is the administrative and management center of the shipyard. Here, various administrative, project planning and coordination activities are carried out. The office is also a place for meetings with customers and other related parties.

2. Design Yard

The design yard is the area where the design and engineering team works to design new vessels or make modifications to existing designs. This can include conference rooms, computer rooms with design software, and discussion rooms.

3. Shipbuilding yard

The shipbuilding yard is the production center in a shipyard. Here, the various components of the ship are assembled and combined into a single unit. This area is usually large and equipped with cranes, slipways, and transport equipment to ease the building process.

4. Ship Maintenance and Repair Yard

A ship maintenance and repair yard is an area where ships that are already in operation are repaired, maintained, and modified. This could include docks to allow access to the underside of the vessel, engine repair workshops, welding facilities, and workshops for electrical maintenance.

5. Plate Workshop

The plate workshop is where metal plates are bent, cut, and prepared before being used in ship construction.

6. Pipe Workshop

A pipe workshop is a place where pipes used in a ship’s piping system are prepared, cut, and assembled.

7. Electrical Workshop

An electrical workshop is a place where electrical installations and electrical equipment for ships are installed, repaired and maintained.

8. Machine Shop

The machine shop is where the ship’s main engines are installed, repaired, and maintained. This includes propulsion engines, generators, and other propulsion systems.

9. Material Storage Warehouse

A material storage warehouse is a place where raw materials, spare parts, and other supplies are stored before being used in the construction or repair of a ship.

10. Equipment Storage Warehouse

An equipment storage warehouse is a place where equipment and heavy machinery such as cranes, tractors, and other transport equipment are stored and maintained. This ensures the availability of equipment required for various projects in the shipyard.

Thus, a shipyard is not just a physical facility for building, repairing, and maintaining ships, but also an ever-evolving center of technological innovation. One of the latest technologies introduced in the maritime industry is  Hybrid GPS from TransTRACK. Using this technology, ships can be equipped with advanced navigation systems, providing accurate information about the ship’s position, speed, and course in real-time.

As leaders in the maritime industry, shipyards have an important role to play in driving the adoption of advanced technologies such as Hybrid GPS from TransTRACK. By adopting this technology, shipyards not only increase their competitiveness in the global market, but also contribute to the positive transformation in the maritime industry as a whole. Start using Hybrid GPS from TransTRACK for better tracking on the high seas!