Modernization of floating dock to increase lifting capacity

Modernizing floating structures and facilities is carried out to improve certain characteristics or qualities. In the context of the maritime industry, this activity is often undertaken to increase load capacity or change the vessel’s purpose. This article examines the possibility of increasing the load capacity of a floating dock by varying its length. The key aspect here is that the modernization is performed within the conditions of a small or medium-sized ship repair enterprise (SME). The analysed floating dock is designed considering the production constraints of an SME. The modernization mustn’t alter the hull structure; instead, the study examines to what extent the existing design can withstand the loads and how much the load capacity can be increased. It has been established that the extension can be made by approximately 10.0 meters, improving the dock’s operational qualities. As a result of the extension, the lifting capacity is increased by about 12.5%, or approximately 225 tons.