Extensive piping renewal and fabrication project involving seawater, ballast, hydraulic, flushing, sewage, freshwater and engine systems, demonstrating Navalrocha’s expertise in complex onboard pipe manufacturing and installation.
Drydocking at Navalrocha
Extensive piping renewal and mechanical retrofit for a specialised dredging vessel
The LANGE WAPPER underwent a comprehensive drydocking programme at Navalrocha, where the principal scope focused on the fabrication, renewal and installation of complex piping systems throughout the vessel. The project covered a broad range of mechanical disciplines, including seawater, ballast, bilge, freshwater, fuel, hydraulic, flushing, sewage and engine auxiliary systems, requiring extensive workshop fabrication combined with precision onboard installation.
A major element of the project involved the manufacture and installation of numerous new pipe sections in carbon steel and galvanised piping, including ballast and bilge suction lines, sewage systems, hydraulic circuits, flushing lines, freshwater distribution networks, fuel meter installations, cooling water systems and large-diameter deck pipelines. Many of these modifications required the production of complex pipe assemblies incorporating elbows, reducers, tees, welding neck flanges and custom-fabricated fittings, all manufactured in Navalrocha’s workshops before final installation onboard. The works also included the conversion of sections of the freshwater system from steel to polypropylene using thermofusion technology.
Several engineering modifications demanded structural alterations to accommodate the new piping layouts. Hydraulic and flushing lines beneath the vessel’s Y-pieces were rerouted to improve clearance, new penetrations were fabricated and installed through deck structures, cooling water pipework associated with engine systems was renewed, and multiple temporary and permanent pipe arrangements were produced to support ongoing maintenance activities. Throughout the project, welding operations were completed using certified procedures, with non-destructive testing carried out where required to verify weld integrity and installation quality.
In parallel with the piping programme, Navalrocha completed a series of mechanical interventions including main engine auxiliary modifications, generator installation support, bow thruster seal repairs, steering gear maintenance, cooler refurbishment, deck equipment repairs and selected steel renewals. These activities complemented the extensive pipe fabrication works and required close coordination between mechanical, piping and structural teams to maintain the vessel’s repair schedule.
The successful completion of the LANGE WAPPER project demonstrates Navalrocha’s capability to deliver highly complex piping renewals and mechanical retrofit programmes on specialised offshore and dredging vessels. Combining advanced workshop fabrication, precision onboard installation and multidisciplinary engineering expertise, the project highlights the shipyard’s ability to execute technically demanding repair packages while maintaining rigorous quality assurance and the highest standards of safety and workmanship.