Owner and operator of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers Avance Gas plans to send another newbuild for drydocking to rule out potential defects.
The company said it was taking actions to drydock VLGC Breeze in Singapore for inspection purposes on 22 April 2015. The ship was delivered to Avance Gas on 9 April 2015.
“The drydock will delay Breeze entering service, but the exact timing is subject to the outcome of the inspection,” Avance Gas said.
The decision comes after Avance Gas sent its VLGC Monsoon, Breeze’s sister ship, to Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard for drydocking as the vessel experienced technical irregularities during its voyage from Balboa (Panama) to China.
VLGC Monsoon was on a 60-90 days time charter with an undisclosed charterer, started in early February.
Lloyd’s Technical Investigation Department is in the process of conducting an investigation and root cause analysis on board Monsoon. The preliminary conclusion is that the aft stern tube bearing will need modifications in order to achieve normal bearing clearances, which are in the fraction of millimeters, Avance said in an update.
“On this basis it is expected that Monsoon will be refitted by late April 2015 and back in service first half May 2015,” the company added.
Monsoon is under guarantee from Jiangnan Shipyard Co. Ltd, and Avance Gas said it would make claims under applicable guarantee provisions and insurances.
Avance Gas’ fleet is not covered by any loss-of-hire insurance. As informed, P&L provisions will be taken Q1/2015 for possible costs, including costs related to discharge operations.