Passenger ships are experiencing increasing challenges as a result of COVID-19. Ships have been deterred from docking all over the world. A number of idle assets are scheduled to be temporarily laid up, and much more may follow as the situation evolves day by day.
Priority should be given to cost-effectiveness and safety
There are three main types of lay-ups to consider: Lay-up can be hot, warm, or cold.
The approximate time the vessel will spend in lay-up, the operational cost savings, the expense of refitting and how long it’ll take, the target destination after recommissioning, as well as its age and prospective recycling value, must all be considered by owners.
The layout style is critical
Hot lay up Malaysia is appropriate for ships that will be out of business for up to three months while remaining fully functional in terms of class and flag while routine maintenance is carried out. Machines and equipment are kept in good working order to allow for quick reactivation, but operational costs can be reduced. Warm lay-up should really be taken into account for ships that will be drawn for up to a year. Some critical machinery is kept running, but more in depth measures can be taken to reduce operational costs. Recommissioning will take more time, possibly several weeks. If the vessel has been in cold lay-up for several years, the process can take a month or longer.
Location of best lay-up
The hot and warm lay-up location should preferably be close to the vessel’s anticipated sailing route, taking into account its current position. Cold lay-up areas are typically remote and have restricted access to the vessel. Other factors to consider include the expected length of the lay-up, the availability and cost of the site, the quality of services provided, security, physical parameters such as water depth, seabed characteristics, and swell that affect anchor protection and clearance, and the integrity of mooring structures for nearshore mooring. For high-value assets like cruise ships, security is critical. If there are local emissions restrictions, shore power supplies are also essential for cruise ships. Shore power is also less expensive than using fuel to generate electricity. Any restrictions on water discharges should also be regarded. Temperature and the possibility for extreme weather events are also influenced by local climate conditions.
Keeping lay-up costs under control
The costs of reactivation will be minimal, and the vessel will be able to return to service quickly. Warm lay-up can save up to 62 percent of the normal operating budget, and up to 54 percent for a couple of vessels that are double-banked. Total cold lay-up costs are approximately 34% of the normal operating budget. Although there may be minor differences between ship types, these reflective figures can be used to determine the best strategy for laying up cruise ships and ferries. In terms of total cost, hot lay-ups are the most expensive. Warm and cold lay-up will incur higher upfront costs when the ship is laid-up and recommissioned. Vessels in cold lay-up are also likely to require dry-docking.