It is all the time an enormous monetary choice to lay-up a vessel, and with market situations today it has turn out to be a extra frequent prevalence, however how does it truly work and what does one must handle?

To lay-up a vessel means to cease utilizing it for a sure interval. It will merely be anchored in applicable waters. The causes for lay-up is perhaps to attend for a greater scrap value or to deactivate the vessel as a result of over-capacities with the intention of activating it once more later. Lay-up durations could be as brief as just a few weeks and so long as 5 years and extra.

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association says that in February, 101 of its members’ offshore vessels had been in lay-up, as reported on thirty first March 2016 – a statistic which is anticipated to rise. The identical is true of container ships. By December 2015 the numbers rose to a brand new excessive with 331 reported as idle vessels or 1,36 million TEU (supply: Alphaliner.com).

This instance makes it clear that the remedy of vessels differs in keeping with the lay-up interval and the rationale for the lay-up. As the remedy differs so do the obligations and necessities assigned by class, flag state and port authorities. They all have their affect.

Of course there are extra events concerned, for instance some insurance coverage firms could settle for a cost hiatus if the vessel is in lay-up for greater than 30 days. In common, all accountable events must be knowledgeable concerning the lay-up interval and its causes (e.g. scrapping) as their necessities depend upon it.

Hot or Cold?

The operator should first resolve on both a scorching lay-up or a chilly lay-up. In a scorching lay-up situation the ship engines and equipment maintain working in order that the re-commissioning of the vessel could be carried out in a short time, and the vessel’s preservation is way simpler and cheaper in comparison with a chilly lay-up. The operational prices are increased, extra crew is required and equipment in operation has the elevated price of consumables.

In a chilly lay-up vessels are solely equipped with emergency vitality for lights, windlass / mooring winches and fireplace extinguishing – typically by transportable mills put in on deck. Depending on the size of lay-up, three weeks or extra must be anticipated for re-commissioning. Should the lay-up be 5 years or longer then the re-commissioning time is unpredictable and may final months.

The essential concern right here is preservation in opposition to humidity, leakage of chemical compounds and situation of the hull (sea chest / sea water traces).

To permit dehumidification of engine rooms (relying on DP degree) a dehumidification machine must be put in and related to the engine / FRAMO room. Other gadgets to remember are:

• Sea water tanks
• Cargo rooms
• Ballast tanks
• Bow thruster rooms

Classes, Flag States and Port Authorities

Minimum manning throughout chilly lay-up is anticipated by many lessons and port authorities to cowl a minimum of fireplace, leakage, mooring and safety watch. However, the Safe Manning Certificate applies solely to vessels in operation, whereas vessels are safely at anchor, inside port limits or alongside. Instead, necessities of flag states and port authorities apply to laid-up vessels. Flag states typically require notification of vessels laid-up for longer durations – the necessities range from brief notification to an in depth lay-up plan.

Example of scorching lay-up plan:

• Lay-up procedures
• Proposed manning
• Emergency response (fireplace, collisions, hurricanes, and so on)
• Navigation watches (if at anchor)
• Security plan
• Class surveys / audits
• Procedures for re-commissioning

Example of minimal manning necessities (scorching lay-up):

• One grasp, one officer, three deck crew
• One CE , two engineering crew
• Sufficient crew to keep up security features

In addition, class surveys happen – for instance the DNV carries out an annual lay-up survey (covers watertight integrity, bilge system, fireplace hazards and tools in use).

Where to place it?

Ideal locations for lay-up have good grounds for anchoring or mooring, and nearly no present or heavy winds (e.g. must be outdoors of the hurricane belt). Furthermore it must be authorized and licensed by the native port authority.

Another chance is an affordable lay-up berth. This alternative avoids provide issues for the watch keepers and grants quick access to the vessel for surveyors and crew, nonetheless, it comes at the price of renting the berth.

Reactivating the Idle Vessel

Depending on the size of the idle time various surveys must be carried out earlier than the vessel can proceed with its service. For instance some class authorities require a sea trial when the vessel has been laid up for 12 months or longer. Furthermore, expired certificates have to be renewed earlier than the vessel could be re-commissioned.

Other certificates just like the SMC (Safety Management Certificate) turn out to be invalid after six months of lay-up (Flag states can override this) and an interim audit must be carried out for reactivation. The identical applies to the ISSC.