floating dry dock

A floating dry dock is a structure that floats on water and can be partially submerged to allow a ship to enter. Once the ship is positioned, the dock is raised, keeping the vessel out of the water for inspection and repairs.1

These docks are typically trough-shaped and cellular, with hollow floors and walls that can be filled with ballast. By removing ballast and draining water, the dock rises, lifting the ship onto supporting blocks. Floating dry docks are often built in shipyards and then towed to their operational sites, avoiding the extensive temporary works required for stationary dry docks. They are usually self-contained, housing workshops, machinery, and power generation for ship repair. While they offer mobility, their steel structures require continuous maintenance, similar to a ship's hull.23