MSE Ventures Into Repair LNG Vessels

In line with the changing business pattern in the ship repair industry and new business opportunities in the fast growing fleet of LNG carriers around the world, MSE has joined in the foray of LNG repair business.

The yard has demonstrated its ability to innovate, reposition and transform itself to cater to this specialized niche market. MSE has shown its commitment and has invested substantially to build up LNG repair capabilities and facilities in order to provide world-class services in the Southeast Asian region to worldwide LNG carrier owners and operators.

With their quest to enhance capability and expertise in the repair of LNG carriers, MSE has from the onset engaged the expertise of the original maker of the membrane containment system, Gaz Transport Technigaz (GTT). An important milestone has since been developed with the signing of a Technical Service Agreement on 15th October 2002 with GTT.

MSE’s facilities and infrastructural development have been recently commissioned with the setting up of a dedicated cryogenic workshop for refurbishment and repairs of LNG cryogenic equipment such as cargo pumps, pipes and valves. The cryogenic workshop is air-conditioned and fully equipped with specialised tools, equipments, testing kits and specific work procedures and manned by highly trained Engineers and Technicians.

MSE has also set-up an invar-welding workshop for continuous training of selected welders and maintaining their unique skills. Their dedicated LNG team has also successfully designed a prototype portable global test control room (GTCR) for hook-up onboard LNG carrier at the yard or at any port required by the owners. A dedicated storage area for LNG equipment with proper temperature and humidity control and outlining the handling and preservation instructions is also in place.

Being reputed as a safe repair yard in the Southeast Asian region, the top management of MSE has continued to emphasize and focus on health, safety and environment (HSE) and in particular on LNG carriers, the management recognizes that HSE is of paramount concern.

Early this month, MSE redelivers the LNG “Puteri Firus” after a full scale drydocking repair. The vessel is one of the Puteri series with No. 96 membrane type cargo containment system. This is the first time the 130,000 cubic meter LNG tanker is drydocked outside of Japan.

The 2nd Special Survey and drydocking included opening of liquid and gas domes into the cargo containment system. Surveys included removal and overhauling of the cryogenic Ebara pumps, cryogenic Bernard valves, Cryostar gas compressors, global test with yard’s own proto-type global test control equipment. Test of containment system included full global test.

12 days after arrival, custody transfer measurement system was inspected by the gas-buyers and cargo tanks were promptly closed-up.

Others major works completed within the well-controlled drydocking schedule were the Kawasaki Steam Turbine & Foster Wheeler ESD III Boilers and the hydroblasting of to 35,000 psi prior painting of the truck-deck void space (2,700 m2 @ 35,000 psi).

“Puteri Firus”, literally means the Princess Topaz, was successfully redelivered 16 days after her arrival at MSE.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of MSE Wan Yusoff Wan Hamat said “We want MSE to be a global player in the LNG ship repair business. The resounding success of drydocking and repair of “Puteri Firus” is the start to the transformation.”