The “Süleyman Vəzirov” Pipe-Laying Vessel has been returned to operation after repair
The “Süleyman Vəzirov” pipe-laying vessel of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), a company under AZCON Holding, has been returned to service following completion of repair works.
Within the scope of the repair works carried out at the floating dock of the Baku Shipyard, the underwater and above-water hull sections of the vessel were cleaned and painted, and damaged steel plates of the hull were replaced. In addition, sea chests (kingstons) and hull fittings were inspected, and routine maintenance was carried out on machinery located in the engine room, accommodation block, and deck equipment, including compressors, crane beams, air vents, and other systems.
At the Zigh Ship Repair and Shipbuilding Yard, the refractory lining of the furnace of the “RAMEHA-860” type water-heating boiler was renewed in accordance with the customer’s requirements. Storm ladders were tested and certified. The side flanges of buoys were repaired, while the flanges for rope passage were disassembled, lubricated, and reinstalled. Furthermore, protective metal plates under the No. 3 and No. 4 anchor rollers, the aft rope-pass roller, cargo support movable rollers, lower supports of the pipe-laying conveyor, and mechanical protective covers of the main engines were repaired. Two 40-ton double-bollard knuckles located at the aft section were newly manufactured and replaced. A tray under the oil and fuel pipelines was also renewed.
During the repair works, supports of access platforms located at the aft section of the vessel were restored, platform support columns were repaired, steel plates located at the waterline level on both sides amidships were welded, and removable guardrails on bow platforms were restored.
In addition, damaged sections at the ballast water line were replaced. The ropes of the PV-40/60 type crane were fully unwound from the drums, inspected, tested, and rewound. Defective parts of cargo and pipe supports, combustion boiler units, the foundation of the traction-compression mechanism, and steel rope drums were repaired, while the deck and winches were cleaned and painted.
The wooden flooring was also replaced. The electric motor of the fecal pump, as well as the ventilation fans of welding posts No. 3 and No. 6, were repaired.
Upon completion of the repairs, the vessel was subjected to sea trials, which were successfully completed, and the vessel was handed over to the customer for operation.
It is noted that the “Süleyman Vəzirov” pipe-laying vessel is designed for laying subsea pipelines with diameters ranging from 219–813 mm at depths of up to 195 meters. The vessel is 108.3 meters in length and 25.6 meters in width and is operated with a crew of 25 people.
