VESSEL REFIT | Dalian – Chinese builder's floating dock upgraded to serve larger commercial ships

Chinese shipbuilder COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry has placed an upgraded floating dock into service at its facilities in Dalian in Liaoning province.

The aptly named Dalian was originally completed in August 2024 as a 300,000-ton, 86-metre (280-foot) wide floating dock for repair work on large ships. The dock has re-entered service, now with a greater capacity and an array of upgraded systems.

Extended length plus enhanced operating and repair systems

To expand its capacity, the dock needed to undergo an upgrade that included extending its length from 340 metres (1,100 feet) to 410 metres (1,300 feet) and increasing its lifting capacity by 30 per cent to 85,000 tons.

The upgraded dock can now be used for repairs of large vessels of at least 360 metres (1,200 feet) in length such as ultra-large containerships, very large crude carriers, and mineral carriers. China Classification Society, which classed the dock, said it is the first 400-metre floating dock in operation in northern China.

Other upgrades include a new ballast system, a heavy duty crane, an intelligent draining system, and an automatic operation and maintenance system.

In place of sandblasting equipment, the dock has been fitted with a high-pressure system that utilises water as an alternative means of removing rust.