Dry docking in Greece—whether at Perama, Syros, or Elefsina—can either be a smooth, productive maintenance period or an expensive nightmare of delays, cost overruns, and compliance failures. The difference comes down to preparation. Greek shipyards are world-class, but they move fast and expect you to arrive ready with approved work lists, sourced parts, and clear priorities. Show up unprepared and you'll watch daily costs pile up while scrambling to find suppliers, waiting for delayed parts, or dealing with unexpected findings that should have been identified weeks earlier. Smart operators start planning 3-6 months before arrival, coordinate with classification societies early, pre-order critical components, and have contingency budgets for inevitable surprises. This guide shows you exactly how to prepare for dry docking in Greek yards, navigate regulatory requirements, and maximize every day in the yard while controlling costs. Start tracking your dry dock preparation today.
Dry Dock Preparation in Greece: Compliance Procedures, Planning & Best Practices
Plan Your Dry Dock Like a Pro
Track every task, coordinate with shipyards digitally, manage your work list, and ensure nothing gets forgotten. Complete dry dock preparation in weeks, not months.
Try Free for 14 Days See How It WorksUnderstanding Greece's Dry Dock Requirements and Vessel Compliance Obligations
Greek maritime regulations, aligned with international conventions, require periodic dry docking for underwater hull surveys, structural inspections, and maintenance that can't be performed afloat. The frequency depends on your vessel type, age, and classification society rules—typically every 2.5 to 5 years, with intermediate surveys in between.
What catches operators off guard isn't the requirement itself—it's the complexity of coordinating classification society surveyors, Hellenic Coast Guard inspections, shipyard scheduling, parts procurement, and crew logistics all while the clock (and costs) are ticking. Digital project management tools designed for maritime operations help you stay organized and avoid the chaos that derails most dry docking projects.
Why Vessels Must Dry Dock
Underwater Hull Survey
Classification societies require thorough inspection of hull plating, shell expansion, sea chests, propeller, rudder, and underwater fittings. You can't do this properly while afloat—it requires dry dock access.
Coating System Renewal
Antifouling and protective coatings degrade over time. Dry dock allows complete cleaning, blasting, and reapplication. Poor coating maintenance = increased fuel consumption and corrosion damage.
Propeller & Shaft Work
Propeller polishing, balancing, repair, or replacement. Shaft seal renewal, stern tube bearing inspection, tail shaft withdrawal for non-destructive testing on older vessels.
Sea Chest & Valve Maintenance
Sea chest cleaning, valve overhauls, grate replacement, inspection of cooling water intakes—all critical systems that require dry dock access for proper maintenance.
Structural Thickness Measurements
Ultrasonic thickness gauging of hull plating, especially for older vessels. Identifies corrosion before it becomes critical. Classification societies mandate this at specified intervals.
Major Retrofits & Modifications
Installing ballast water treatment systems, scrubbers, new equipment. Any major hull penetrations or modifications require dry dock and classification society approval.
Greek Dry Dock Compliance Requirements
Surveyor must be present for critical inspections. Schedule them early—they book up weeks in advance, especially in peak season (April-October).
Submit detailed scope of work to class society for approval before docking. Changes/additions during docking require surveyor agreement and may extend schedule.
Greek-flagged vessels may need Hellenic Coast Guard attendance for specific items. Verify requirements early to avoid surprises during docking.
Greek shipyards follow strict environmental regulations. Proper waste disposal, antifouling procedures, and emissions controls must be documented.
Hot work permits, confined space entry procedures, height work certifications. Shipyard and vessel crew must coordinate safety protocols.
Bring all vessel certificates, previous survey reports, maintenance records, and technical drawings. Missing documents cause delays you can't afford.
The Real Cost of Poor Dry Dock Preparation
Every day in a Greek shipyard costs $40,000-70,000 when you factor in yard charges, labor, lost revenue, and crew costs. Poor preparation doesn't just add a few days—it multiplies problems exponentially.
Unprepared Vessel: 35 Days
- Yard charges (35 days): $700,000
- Emergency parts procurement: $250,000
- Extra labor: $180,000
- Lost revenue: $525,000
- Contract penalties: $145,000
Well-Prepared Vessel: 18 Days
- Yard charges (18 days): $360,000
- Pre-ordered parts: $120,000
- Efficient labor: $150,000
- Lost revenue: $270,000
- Contingency used: $80,000
Never Arrive at a Shipyard Unprepared Again
Track every preparation task, coordinate with suppliers, manage your work list, and ensure zero delays from missing parts or forgotten tasks. Greek operators using our platform reduce dry dock time by 25-40%.
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Best Practices, Preparation Checklists, and Digital Tools for Efficient Dry Dock Operations
The difference between successful and disastrous dry docking is systematic preparation. Here's the proven approach used by experienced Greek maritime operators.
Planning & Scheduling
Greek yards book up months in advance, especially April-October. Get quotes from Perama, Syros, Elefsina. Compare facilities, capabilities, and availability. Book slot with deposit.
Inform your class society of planned dry dock date and location. Request surveyor assignment. Discuss scope of work and any areas of concern from previous inspections.
Pull up last 2-3 surveys. What recommendations were made? What areas need follow-up? What's likely to need attention this time? Build preliminary work list.
Get detailed quotes for planned work. Add 30% contingency for unexpected findings—you WILL find something. Get management approval now, not when you're in the yard.
Technical Preparation
Complete scope including: hull cleaning & coating, propeller work, sea chest overhaul, valve renewals, anodes replacement, steel renewals (if known), any retrofits/upgrades. Get class approval.
Order propeller bolts, shaft seals, sea chest valves, anodes, gaskets—anything with long lead times. Greek suppliers are good but popular items stock out. Don't gamble on availability.
If you need specialized work (propeller specialists, coating contractors, electrical upgrades), book them now. Good contractors are scheduled months ahead.
Organize all relevant drawings: hull expansion plans, midship sections, sea chest locations, electrical schematics. Shipyard will need these. Missing drawings = delays.
Who stays onboard during docking? Who needs accommodation? Transport arrangements? Crew rotation schedules? Plan this now—Greek yard locations may be remote.
Final Preparations
Verify every part, material, and equipment is ready. Contact suppliers: "Will it DEFINITELY be there?" Don't accept vague assurances. If uncertain, order backup from alternative supplier.
Clean bilges, engine spaces, tanks as much as possible while afloat. Less time cleaning in yard = more time on actual work = lower costs.
Compile: all certificates (current and expired), last 3 survey reports, maintenance records, equipment manuals, drawings, previous dry dock reports. Make digital copies as backup.
Coordinate with shipyard on safety procedures, hot work permits, waste disposal plans, PPE requirements. Some yards are very strict—understand expectations upfront.
Video call with yard, class surveyor, and key contractors. Review work list, confirm sequence, identify potential conflicts, establish communication protocols.
Docking Execution
Before entering dock, conduct thorough vessel inspection. Photograph everything. This is your baseline for condition upon undocking—protects you from false damage claims.
Yard controls docking operation. Follow their instructions precisely. Master remains responsible for vessel safety until blocks are set and vessel secured.
Class surveyor inspects hull underwater areas as soon as accessible. Critical moment—findings here determine actual work scope vs. planned scope. Expect surprises.
Every morning: yard foreman, surveyor, master, chief engineer. Review yesterday's progress, today's priorities, any issues. Document everything—memories fade, written records don't.
Don't assume work is done correctly. Verify coating thickness, check weld quality, test valves after installation. Finding problems after undocking = expensive rework.
Common Dry Dock Problems & How to Avoid Them
Learn from others' expensive mistakes. These are the most common problems we see in Greek shipyards—all completely preventable.
Critical Parts Not Available
The Problem: You arrive at the shipyard and discover the propeller bolts you need are on backorder for 3 weeks. Or the specific sea chest valve isn't in stock anywhere in Greece. Or the shaft seal has wrong specifications.
The Solution: Order parts 2-3 months before docking. Verify delivery 2 weeks before. Have backup suppliers identified. For critical items, order spares even if slightly expensive—cheaper than yard delays.
Surveyor Not Available
The Problem: You're ready to start critical work but the class surveyor is attending another vessel. Or they're delayed arriving from Athens. Work stops. Yard charges continue.
The Solution: Book surveyor 3-4 months before docking, not 3-4 weeks. Confirm their attendance 2 weeks prior. Have their mobile number. Build relationship with your class society—regular communication prevents surprises.
Unexpected Structural Findings
The Problem: Surveyor discovers significant corrosion or cracking that wasn't expected. No steel pre-ordered. No budget approved for steel renewal. Now you're negotiating with management while sitting in an expensive dry dock.
The Solution: Always budget 30% contingency for unexpected findings. Pre-order some steel plate stock (common sizes) based on vessel age and condition. Get pre-approval for contingency spending so you can act immediately.
Weather Delays (Coating Work)
The Problem: You scheduled dry dock for December. It rains constantly. Coating application requires dry conditions. You wait. And wait. Days pass. Costs accumulate.
The Solution: Schedule dry dock for good weather seasons (May-September in Greece). If winter docking unavoidable, choose enclosed dock if available or use fast-curing coating systems that tolerate some moisture. Plan buffer days for weather.
Scope Creep & Poor Change Control
The Problem: "While we're in the yard, let's also do..." Engineers keep adding tasks. No proper approval process. Suddenly you're 10 days over schedule doing work that wasn't planned, budgeted, or necessary right now.
The Solution: Establish strict change control. Any work not on approved list requires: (1) formal request, (2) cost estimate, (3) schedule impact assessment, (4) management approval. No exceptions. Additional work goes on a "next dry dock" list unless truly critical.
Poor Documentation = Rework
The Problem: Work is completed but not properly documented or photographed. Class surveyor asks for evidence of proper procedure. Can't provide it. Surveyor requires partial rework to verify. More delays.
The Solution: Use digital documentation tools that let you photograph and annotate work as it happens. Each completed task gets photos showing before, during, and after. Surveyor can review in real-time, not weeks later.
Choosing the Right Greek Shipyard
Greece has excellent shipyards, but each has strengths and limitations. Choose based on your specific needs, not just lowest price.
Perama Shipyards (Piraeus)
Syros Shipyard (Neorion)
Elefsina Shipyards
Shipyard Selection Factors
- Dock size & capacity: Ensure they can physically accommodate your vessel
- Technical capabilities: Do they have equipment/skills for your specific work?
- Availability: Can they accommodate your preferred timing?
- Reputation: Talk to other operators—who do they recommend?
- Cost transparency: Get detailed quotes, watch for hidden charges
- Classification society relationship: Do surveyors like working with this yard?
- Parts supply: Do they have good supplier network or are you sourcing everything?
- Location logistics: Crew accommodation, transport, parts delivery access
Digital Tools for Modern Dry Dock Management
The days of managing dry dock with Excel spreadsheets, WhatsApp messages, and paper checklists are over. Modern operators use integrated digital platforms that coordinate every aspect of the project.
Task Management
Comprehensive work list with task dependencies, assignments, due dates, and completion tracking. Know exactly what's done, what's in progress, what's blocked. Real-time visibility for everyone.
Parts & Materials Tracking
Track every component from order through delivery to installation. Set reorder alerts. Link parts to specific tasks. Know what's arrived, what's delayed, what's critical path. Never be surprised by missing parts.
Budget Management
Track costs in real-time against budget. Categorize expenses. Monitor contingency spend. Get alerts when approaching budget limits. Generate financial reports instantly. No surprises when the final invoice arrives.
Photo Documentation
Photograph everything. Before/during/after shots. Annotate images with notes. Organize by work area and date. Share with surveyors and management instantly. Undeniable proof of work quality and completion.
Vendor Coordination
Communicate with shipyard, class surveyor, contractors, and suppliers in one place. Shared calendars. Document distribution. No more hunting through email chains. Everyone sees same information simultaneously.
Progress Reporting
Automated daily/weekly progress reports. Visual dashboards showing completion percentages. Schedule adherence tracking. Share with stakeholders automatically. Management knows project status without constant calls.
All These Tools in One Platform
Stop juggling multiple systems. MarineInspection platform provides complete dry dock project management specifically designed for maritime operations. Used by vessels docking in Perama, Syros, and Elefsina shipyards.
Expert Insight
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does dry docking typically take in Greek shipyards?
For routine special survey dry docking, expect 15-25 days depending on vessel type, age, and work scope. Cargo vessels average 15-18 days. Passenger vessels 18-22 days. Older vessels or those with significant steel work 20-30+ days. The key variables are: hull condition (coating/steel work needed), propeller work complexity, unexpected findings during inspection, weather delays for coating work, and parts availability. Well-prepared vessels with pre-ordered parts and approved work lists typically complete 30-40% faster than unprepared vessels. The difference between 15 days and 25 days is usually preparation quality, not vessel complexity.
What's the typical cost of dry docking in Greece?
Total dry dock cost for a mid-size cargo vessel ranges from $800,000 to $1,500,000 including all expenses. This breaks down to: shipyard charges $35K-55K per day (15-20 days = $525K-1,100K), coating work $80K-150K, propeller service $30K-60K, steel renewal $50K-200K (if needed), parts/materials $80K-180K, class surveyor fees $15K-30K, and lost revenue opportunity cost. Passenger vessels typically run 30-50% higher due to complexity and higher daily rates. These are typical ranges—your actual costs depend heavily on vessel condition, work scope, and preparation quality. Poor preparation can easily add $200K-500K through delays, emergency procurement, and extended yard time.
When should I start planning my dry dock?
Start planning 6 months before desired docking date—minimum 4 months, ideally 6-9 months for complex vessels or peak season docking. Timeline: 6 months out—select shipyard, get preliminary quotes, book slot; 4-5 months—finalize work list, order long-lead-time parts, book specialist contractors; 3 months—get classification society approval, confirm surveyor availability; 2 months—verify all parts ordered, finalize logistics; 1 month—confirm deliveries, prepare documentation, final coordination meeting. Many operators who experience problems started planning only 6-8 weeks before docking—not enough time to source parts or book quality contractors. Greek shipyards book up, especially April-October, so early planning is critical for preferred dates.
What are the most common unexpected costs in Greek shipyards?
The top unexpected costs are: structural steel renewal due to corrosion beyond what was anticipated ($50K-200K), emergency parts procurement at 2-3x normal cost when pre-ordered parts have wrong specifications ($30K-100K), weather delays requiring extended yard time for coating work ($50K-150K), scope creep from "while we're here, let's also..." additions ($40K-120K), rework due to quality issues or surveyor requirements ($25K-80K), and crew accommodation extensions when docking runs over schedule ($15K-40K). Best practice: budget 30% contingency above your detailed estimates. If your detailed quote is $1M, have $1.3M approved. If you don't use full contingency, great—but you need spending authority in case surprises arise, and they almost always do.
Do I need to hire a superintendent for dry dock oversight?
For routine dry docking with standard work scope and experienced chief engineer, superintendent is optional but recommended. For complex work, first dry dock at a new yard, major retrofits, or vessels with significant findings expected, superintendent is highly recommended. A good superintendent costs $5K-10K for the dry dock period but can save you $50K-150K through better negotiation, quality oversight, preventing scope creep, coordinating multiple contractors efficiently, and identifying problems before they become expensive. If your master and chief engineer are experienced with dry docking and you have good digital project management tools, you may not need external superintendent. But if there's any uncertainty, the investment pays for itself many times over.
How do digital tools help with dry dock preparation?
Digital dry dock management platforms reduce preparation time by 40-60% and cut dry dock duration by 25-35% through better organization. Specific benefits: comprehensive checklists ensure nothing forgotten (typical manual preparation misses 15-20% of tasks), automated reminders for parts ordering, surveyor booking, document preparation (prevents "oh no, we forgot to..." moments), real-time parts tracking shows exactly what's arrived, what's delayed, what's critical path, photo documentation provides instant proof of work quality for surveyors (reduces rework disputes), budget tracking shows exactly where you stand versus plan (prevents cost overruns), vendor coordination keeps shipyard, suppliers, and contractors aligned (saves 10+ hours weekly in coordination). Purpose-built maritime platforms include pre-configured dry dock templates based on thousands of successful projects—you're not starting from scratch.
