The term dry docking (δεξαμενισμός) refers to an established and critical procedure followed by shipping companies for the maintenance and repair of their vessels. Just as a car undergoes periodic technical inspection and servicing, a ship is taken to dry docking, in a specially configured area of a shipyard, in order to carry out tasks that cannot be performed while the ship is at sea.
The main purpose of dry docking is the cleaning, inspection, and repair of the ship’s hull, meaning the parts that are continuously below the sea surface. Specifically, during dry docking, the following tasks are performed:
The dry docking process is conducted on a regular basis, in accordance with international regulations and the requirements of classification societies, typically every five years during the special survey. A ship may also be taken to dry docking if it has been involved in a collision, has run aground, or is about to be sold.
In any case, through the dry docking process, it is ensured that the ship remains:
Source: Clarksons
