Customer's Challenge

We were approached through an online enquiry by a global ship management company seeking to modify their auxiliary engine base. The original base was designed with Chockfast resin, but the client wanted to upgrade to a conical mounting system for improved stability and long-term reliability.

This required in-situ machining on board the vessel to remove the existing 8 base segments, followed by precision drilling and tapping of 6 × M30 holes on each segment to install the new conical mounts.

Working on board a vessel presented a major constraint: tight operating space. Conventional portable milling machines were too large to fit into the restricted areas around the engine base. The client initially expected the modification to take place in two phases — completing two sets during the current schedule and finishing the remaining two sets during the vessel’s next deployment break.

Solution

To overcome the space limitation, our engineering team designed and modified two compact XY milling machines, custom-built to the exact dimensions required to fit even the smallest workspaces on board.

• The redesign, fabrication, and testing of the milling machines were completed within one week.
• Once delivered on board, our technicians deployed the machines in parallel, operating 24/7 in shifts to maximize efficiency.
• Each segment was precisely milled, drilled, and tapped to meet the tight alignment and dimensional tolerances required for the conical mounting system.

The Results

Thanks to the innovation and dedication of our field service team, the progress exceeded the client’s expectations:

• Full scope completed ahead of schedule: Instead of two sets now and two sets later, we successfully completed all four sets within three weeks.
• No delays to vessel deployment: The vessel was able to sail on time without waiting for a second installation phase.
• Outstanding client feedback: The ship management team was highly impressed with the productivity, precision, and problem-solving approach demonstrated by our technicians.

Client Testimonial

“We initially planned for this job to be split into two phases due to the complexity and workspace constraints. To our surprise, your team not only delivered ahead of schedule but completed the entire scope in one deployment. The performance was beyond our expectations — truly outstanding work!”

Key Takeaway

This project is a true reflection of how challenges can be turned into opportunities when expertise, creativity, and teamwork come together. By applying innovative engineering solutions and adapting quickly to the constraints on board, our team helped minimize downtime, strengthen reliability, and keep operations running smoothly in a demanding marine environment.

Most importantly, we are deeply grateful to the ship’s crew for their unwavering support, patience, and care throughout the project. Their cooperation not only made our work possible but also created a spirit of partnership that we truly value.