Book 6-12 months in advance, especially for major yards during peak seasons (spring and fall). Popular yards like Dalian COSCO and Shanghai Waigaoqiao schedule up to 12 months ahead. Tier 2 yards may have shorter booking windows (3-6 months). Chinese New Year period (Jan-Feb) books earliest as yards shut down 2-3 weeks. Early booking secures preferred timing and better negotiating position on pricing.

Standard durations: Routine docking (hull cleaning, coating, surveys) 10-15 days. Intermediate Survey 15-20 days. Special Survey 20-30 days. Major repairs or conversions 30-60+ days. Chinese yards are efficient – often completing work 10-20% faster than some other regions. However, don't rush quality for speed. Include 2-3 contingency days in planning for weather or unexpected findings.

Yes, major Chinese yards meet international standards (ISO 9001, classification society approved). China builds 40%+ of world's new ships – expertise is world-class. Quality depends on: clear specifications, proper supervision, reputable yard selection, and class surveyor oversight. Specify exact coating brands (International, Hempel, Jotun), require mill certificates for steel, and maintain daily owner's representative presence. Top Chinese yards deliver quality equal to or exceeding Singapore, Korea, or Japan at lower costs.

Costs vary by vessel size and scope. General ranges: 5,000-10,000 DWT: $300K-600K. 20,000-50,000 DWT: $600K-1.2M. 50,000-100,000 DWT: $1.2M-2.5M. 100,000+ DWT: $2.5M-5M+. China typically 20-40% cheaper than Singapore or Japan for equivalent work. Tier 1 yards (Dalian, Shanghai) cost more than Tier 2 (regional ports) but offer better facilities and scheduling reliability. Always get multiple quotes and verify exact scope comparison.

Providing your own parts typically saves 15-25% on markup. Best approach: Order critical/expensive parts yourself (major pumps, valves, bearings) shipping to yard 2 weeks early. Buy consumables from yard (gaskets, bolts, paint brushes) avoiding import hassles for low-value items. Yard markup on materials ranges 20-50%, so significant savings possible on major components. Ensure parts arrive with proper customs clearance – delays cost more than savings. For coating materials, specify exact brands but consider yard procurement given bulk purchasing power.

Main risks and mitigation: Communication barriers – use bilingual specs and daily meetings. Quality variations – specify standards clearly and maintain oversight. Schedule delays – build contingency days and monitor progress daily. Cost overruns – detailed specifications and change order controls. Parts supply – order early with tracking. Weather impacts – schedule during optimal seasons. These risks exist everywhere; Chinese yards actually very reliable with proper preparation. Use reputable yards, maintain on-site supervision, and document everything.

Partial crew typically stays aboard for security and to assist work. However: No cooking facilities during hot work (galley secured). Limited accommodation access during work. Shore accommodation recommended for most crew (hotels $30-80/night in China). Captain and Chief Engineer usually stay aboard alternating with shore accommodation. Essential crew for daily operations remain. Chinese yards provide good shore facilities. Budget $50-100/day per person for meals and accommodation. Crew rotation or leave during docking recommended given limited aboard comfort during intensive work period.

Overrun consequences: Daily docking fees continue ($5K-10K/day typical). Yard may charge premium for schedule disruption. Off-hire losses ($50K-150K/day for commercial vessels). Following vessel's schedule may be impacted. Contract should specify overrun terms and responsibilities. Common causes: late spare parts arrival, scope changes discovered, weather delays, or poor planning. Prevent overruns through: thorough preparation, realistic scheduling, contingency time inclusion, and proactive problem-solving. If overrun unavoidable, negotiate extension terms immediately.

Evaluation criteria: Reputation and references from similar vessels, facility capabilities matching your vessel size, pricing competitiveness, location relative to trading routes, scheduling availability during your window, experience with your vessel type, financial stability, safety record, and communication capability. Request quotes from 3-4 yards with identical specifications. Visit yards personally if possible or send representative. Check references from recent customers. Digital management tools help compare options systematically. Don't choose solely on price – reputation and reliability matter more for successful outcome.

Essential documents: Vessel certificates (class, statutory), previous survey reports, general arrangement plans, technical specifications, work scope statement, spare parts list with drawings, crew manifest and passport copies, MSA arrival notification, waste disposal documentation, environmental compliance papers, insurance certificates, and payment guarantees. Have both English and Chinese versions of key documents. Yard and local agent assist with Chinese regulatory paperwork. Provide documents 4-6 weeks before docking for review and customs processing. Missing documents can delay docking – comprehensive preparation essential.