Ship Repair

Ship repair is one of the most capital-intensive and time-critical activities in ship management. A vessel in drydock is not earning freight — every day in the yard is a direct cost. At Unified Maritime Services, we act as the ship repair superintendent's local partner: sourcing and tendering to qualified yards, supervising repair work on behalf of the Principal, managing class surveyor attendance, and ensuring the vessel exits the yard on time, on budget, and with all required class and flag certificates in order.

Planned Drydocking

Vessels are required by international convention (SOLAS) and class society rules to undergo drydocking at regular intervals — typically every 2.5 years under the standard five-year special survey cycle, or annually for vessels in special trade. A drydocking event encompasses hull cleaning and anti-fouling paint application, propeller and rudder inspection and repairs, sea chest cleaning, anode replacement, tailshaft inspection, and all underwater fittings. We manage the tendering process across our network of yards in UAE, India, and the broader region — obtaining multiple quotations, evaluating yard suitability for the vessel's class and size, and recommending the optimal yard based on cost, available dry dock dimensions, and delivery schedule.

Hull & Structural Repairs

Hull damage arises from corrosion, grounding, collision, and general structural fatigue. Steel renewals — replacing corroded or impact-damaged hull plates — are the most common hull repair requirement. We arrange thickness gauging surveys to identify areas of accelerated corrosion, coordinate with the class surveyor on the minimum plate thickness required for class retention, and obtain competitive quotations from approved steel contractors. For damage repairs following a casualty, we work alongside the P&I Correspondent and insurance surveyors to document the damage and manage the repair process under their oversight.

Main Engine & Machinery Overhauls

The main engine is the vessel's most critical and expensive asset. Overhaul requirements are driven by running hours, cylinder liner wear measurements, and the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. We coordinate the attendance of the maker's service engineers for major overhauls (piston overhauls, fuel injection system reconditioning, turbocharger overhaul), source approved spare parts through the maker's authorised distributors, and supervise work carried out by the yard's mechanical team. Auxiliary engines, generators, pumps, and steering gear are included in our coordination scope.

Underwater & Diving Services

Not all hull inspection and minor repair work requires a drydocking. Underwater inspections by commercial diving contractors — a recognised alternative to drydocking in many class society rules — allow hull condition to be assessed while the vessel remains in water. We arrange ABS, DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas and other class-approved underwater inspection services at major ports in our region. Common underwater work includes propeller polishing (reducing fouling drag and improving fuel efficiency), anode replacement, hull fouling removal, and minor plate repair by wet welding where permitted by class.

Emergency Repairs

Vessels do not choose when their machinery fails. A main engine breakdown at anchor, a steering gear defect in port, or a hull breach following a contact — these events require immediate response. We maintain 24/7 contact with a network of certified marine engineers, underwater diving companies, and specialist repair contractors across our region. Emergency mobilisation, parts sourcing, and class surveyor attendance are coordinated simultaneously to minimise vessel detention. Our goal is to get the vessel seaworthy and on its way as fast as safely possible.

Class & Flag Certificate Renewal

Every repair event affecting the vessel's class-maintained structure, machinery, or safety equipment requires class surveyor attendance and certification. We coordinate with all major classification societies (IACS members) and with the vessel's flag state administration for the issue of statutory certificates following completion of repairs. This includes coordinating the IOPP (International Oil Pollution Prevention) Certificate renewal following work on the bilge system, the Safety Construction Certificate following structural repairs, and the Loadline Certificate following any changes to freeboard-relevant structure.