Plate heat exchanger reconditioning boosts drydock efficiency for marine vessels
Scheduled drydock periods are pivotal for marine transportation companies, offering a limited but crucial window for essential maintenance and upgrades. Any delay during this time can lead to significant financial and operational setbacks. That puts a pressure on marine transportation companies to schedule timely maintenance that ensure reliability and safety throughout drydock to keep fleets running smoothly and on schedule.
DATE 2026-05-12
A leading Middle Eastern marine transportation company, operating a global fleet of 32 vessels, relies on Alfa Laval’s plate heat exchangers for central and lube oil cooling. When these vital systems began to show reduced efficiency and leakage, the company turned to Alfa Laval’s plate heat exchanger reconditioning services to restore performance and ensure drydock schedules were met.
Challenge
The marine transportation company faced declining performance in their onboard plate heat exchangers, which are critical for central and lube oil cooling. These units began to show reduced cooling efficiency and signs of leakage, threatening operational reliability and adherence to strict schedules.
With each day in drydock costing between €10,000 and €120,000, any delay in reconditioning services could result in significant financial losses and increased operational risks. The company needed an OEM partner who could guarantee quality, precision, and on-time turnaround for plate heat exchanger reconditioning.
Solution
Alfa Laval was selected through a competitive tender to deliver comprehensive plate heat exchanger reconditioning services under the Global Drydock Service Program. The project included:
- Full reconditioning of 1,950 PHE plates across five vessels
- Detailed inspections and professional cleaning
- Replacement of worn components and pressure testing
- Final certification in strict accordance with OEM specifications
Close coordination with the customer ensured seamless execution within the drydock period, minimising risks and maximising efficiency.
Results
These outcomes supported the customer with achieving both cost-saving and environmental targets, reinforcing Alfa Laval’s role as a trusted service partner.
- Maintaining operational schedules
- Restored optimal cooling performance across all 5 vessels, significantly reducing auxiliary energy consumption and preventing unplanned downtime.
- 100% on-time turnaround, avoiding costly drydock delays
Outlook
With critical cooling systems restored and a proven drydock strategy in place, the customer is well-prepared for future maintenance cycles and continued operational excellence. The partnership with Alfa Laval ensures ongoing access to global expertise, genuine spare parts, and predictable lead times.
Looking ahead, Alfa Laval’s commitment to innovation and sustainability will help marine operators navigate evolving industry challenges, optimise performance, and achieve long-term success.
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