Shipyard Servicing - Part 1 - Pickling & Flushing

In the early summer of 2024, Walco Industries Ltd. was asked to complete an emergency job due to failed project planning of a competitor to meet the tight deadline.  The task was to complete a hot water flush, then proceed with a chemical treatment (pickling) of fuel and oil lines for the Canadian vessel. To accommodate the new customer, some co-ordination with current customers had to take place to fit within the allowable schedule. All of which were very accommodating. A proprietary chemical cleaning unit was brought in to flush the debris from the piping systems left from the welding and manufacturing process and then used to circulate the chemicals for the pickling portion of the job.

After primary discussions of the chemical cleaning process, an operations supervisor was flown to site to go over particulars such as equipment location, safety requirements, timeline and methodology. There was heavy involvement with the chemicals manufacturer, customer and government body to review the safe use and containment when working over the water and working on this vessel. The parts and pieces needed on short notice were either flown in or machined on site to expedite the job. Safe work procedures and methodologies were written, reviewed, altered and approved by all parties involved.

A boiler supplier was hired to heat the water to the required temperature and to maintain heat during the circulation process. Walco Industries provided a filter trailer to collect the debris while circulating and a local supplier brought in mini frac tanks for heated water storage. All materials and hoses used had to be of the right material as to not react with the chemical injected into the pipe system. Once the system was primed with hot water, the Walco chemical supervisor walked with the ship’s captain and a mechanical specialist to look for leaks and areas of concern before continuing.

With the co-ordination and help from all involved the job was a success, helping complete the project and overcoming last minute changes requested by the ship’s owner.