About the Customer
Overview:
MF Shipping Group (Thun Blyth) are prominent in the maritime shipping industry, relying on robust and well-maintained equipment for smooth operations.
Relationship with Hickman Engineering:
Hickman Engineering has an ongoing contractual relationship with MF Shipping, highlighting the trust and reliability established through previous successful projects.
Project Scope
Equipment Requiring Maintenance:
The project involved the fabrication of a new spool of pipework tailored for the ballast tank, specifically a custom 8-inch to 6-inch reducer extending 322mm in length.
Purpose of the Equipment:
The fabricated component was vital for the ballast tank system, and essential for the vessel’s docking and undocking requirements at the Immingham dock.
Urgency and Specialisation:
Given the tight timeline, the project required a fast turnaround with specialised fabrication to ensure the ship’s schedule remained uninterrupted.
Project Execution
Team and Tools Deployed:
- Key Personnel: Led by the welding and fabrication team leader.
- Tools Utilised: Advanced TIG welding plant, spirit levels, engineer squares, and pipe rollers ensured precision in fabrication.
Time Frame:
The entire spool was completed efficiently within 1.5 days, despite the time-sensitive demands.
Insights from the Team
Challenges Encountered:
The fabrication team regularly works on similar projects, but this one presented unique challenges due to the rapid turnaround required. By coordinating swiftly and utilising their expertise, the team successfully executed the project ahead of the allotted timeframe.
Satisfaction with Outcome:
Team members expressed high satisfaction with the final result, commending their collective expertise in meeting the tight schedule while maintaining high standards of quality and cost-effectiveness for the client.
Customer Feedback
Reasons for Choosing Hickman Engineering:
MF Shipping Group selected Hickman Engineering based on a history of quality work, cost efficiency, and the team’s capability to deliver under tight schedules. The client valued the professionalism and proven expertise that Hickman Engineering brought to the project.
Importance of Specialist Involvement:
Given the complexity of the ballast tank’s function, it was crucial for the equipment to undergo fabrication and welding by specialists to guarantee durability and precision.
Satisfaction and Recommendation:
The customer reported being “extremely satisfied” with the work and would recommend Hickman Engineering to others, noting the “excellent service, clear communication, and delivery from start to finish.”
This case study reflects Hickman Engineering’s capability to handle specialised projects under strict deadlines, leveraging its skilled workforce to deliver high-quality and reliable solutions for critical maritime equipment.
