Understanding Shipyards: Definition, Functions, and Types

Shipyards are key facilities that support the smooth operation of the maritime industry. These facilities play a role in building, repairing, and maintaining ships as part of the sea freight to ensure they remain safe, reliable, and operate at peak performance.

Such a role makes shipyards a vital component in supporting the smooth functioning of the supply chain and the maritime industry. To understand more about shipyards, read this article that discusses the functions, types, and roles of shipyards.

What Is a Shipyard?

A shipyard is a facility or site used to build, repair, modify, and maintain ships. These facilities are equipped with various infrastructure, including dry docks, floating docks, fabrication workshops, painting areas, and high-capacity lifting equipment to support every stage of ship construction.

In addition to building new ships, shipyards also conduct inspections, routine maintenance, damage repairs, modifications, and the modernization of ship systems. These services aim to ensure that ships remain seaworthy, meet applicable safety standards, and operate at optimal performance.

Indonesia has several ports equipped with shipyard facilities to support shipbuilding, maintenance, and repairs. One of the best-known is the Tanjung Perak Port area in Surabaya.

Shipyard facilities are also available at various other major ports in Indonesia, such as Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Belawan Port in Medan, Makassar Port, Balikpapan Port, and Bitung Port.

Functions of Shipyards

In addition to serving as sites for shipbuilding and repair, shipyards also help maintain the safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of ships. Here are some other important functions of shipyards:

Ensuring operational safety: Shipyards conduct inspections, periodic maintenance, and repairs on structures, engines, and safety systems to ensure ships remain seaworthy and safe to operate.
Ensuring ships meet standards and regulations: Inspections and tests conducted at shipyards help ensure ships comply with applicable classification standards, certifications, and maritime regulations.
Improving operational efficiency: Maintenance of engines, hulls, propellers, and other support systems can optimize ship performance, reduce fuel consumption, and minimize the risk of malfunctions while at sea.
Extending a vessel’s service life: Through routine maintenance, periodic inspections, and the replacement of worn components, shipyards help prevent more serious damage, thereby extending the vessel’s operational lifespan.

Types of Shipyards

Shipyards can be classified based on ownership, function, location, and size. Each type has different characteristics and roles. Here is the explanation:

1. By Ownership

Based on ownership, shipyards are divided into two categories:

Government-owned shipyards: These shipyards are managed by government agencies or state-owned enterprises (SOEs). These facilities are generally used to build, repair, and maintain government-owned vessels, such as naval ships, patrol boats, or research vessels.
Private shipyards: Private shipyards are owned and operated by private companies. These types of shipyards usually handle new shipbuilding, repairs, conversions, and maintenance for the commercial sector, such as cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships, and offshore vessels.

2. By Function

Based on their function, shipyards are designed to meet the needs of shipbuilding, maintenance, and modification. Here is the breakdown:

Ship construction yard: This yard can build various types of ships, such as container ships, tankers, passenger ships, fishing vessels, tugboats, and even warships.
Ship repair yard: A ship repair yard provides maintenance and repair services for ships already in operation. Its services include inspections, hull repairs, painting, component replacement, and repairs to engines and electrical systems, ensuring the ship remains seaworthy.
Offshore structure construction and repair yard: A type of shipyard used to build, assemble, modify, and repair structures that support offshore activities, such as offshore platforms, oil and gas drilling rigs, jacket structures, and various support facilities for the offshore energy industry.
Shipbreaking and recycling yard: A facility used to dismantle ships that are no longer fit for operation due to age, severe damage, or decommissioning.

3. By Location

Shipyards can also be classified by location. Each location has its own distinct characteristics. Here is an explanation:

Seaside shipyard: Located in a coastal area or port with direct access to the sea. This type of shipyard is most commonly used for building, repairing, and maintaining large vessels because it facilitates launching, docking, and the entry and exit process.
Riverside shipyard: Built along a river navigable by ship. These shipyards generally handle the construction and repair of small to medium-sized vessels, such as fishing boats and river transport support vessels.

4. By Size

Meanwhile, shipyards based on their size are classified into three categories, namely:

Small shipyards: Small shipyards generally handle the construction, maintenance, and repair of small vessels. The types of vessels worked on include fishing boats, tour boats, patrol boats, local passenger vessels, and workboats. Their facilities are usually simpler with limited lifting capacity.
Medium-sized shipyards: Medium-sized shipyards can handle medium-sized vessels with more complex construction and repair needs. These shipyards are generally equipped with dry docks, slipways, or medium-capacity floating docks.
Big shipyards: Big shipyards have advanced facilities and technology to build and repair large vessels. The vessels they handle include container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, LNG carriers, and cruise ships.

Manage Your Port and Chemical Storage Needs with CDI

Shipyards play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of logistics fleets. However, supply chain efficiency also depends on the availability of reliable port and chemical storage services.

Therefore, PT Chandra Daya Investasi Tbk (CDI), together with its subsidiary, PT Redeco Petrolin Utama (RPU), offers port and chemical storage solutions to support the shipyard logistics needs of various industrial sectors.

As a subsidiary of CDI, RPU is supported by over 70 storage tanks with a total capacity of over 125,000+ m³. RPU also operates two berths, each with a Length Overall (LOA) of 200 meters, capable of serving vessels up to 35,000 DWT with a draft of 10 meters.

Additionally, RPU is equipped with a Centralized Filling Station (CFS) capable of serving various types and sizes of tanker trucks. To streamline customers’ operational processes, a Customer Order Service (COS), which is a specialized system that facilitates more efficient product pickup planning, is also available.

Not only does RPU prioritize efficiency, but it also implements international safety standards and fire prevention measures, including oil booms as a precautionary measure for handling oil spills.

Therefore, entrust your company’s logistics needs to CDI and PT Redeco Petrolin Utama (RPU) as #YourGrowthPartner.