Marine Engineering & Vessel Repair Specialists
24/7 Ship Repairs, Pipework & Fleet Maintenance Across the UK
When vessel operations stop, every minute matters. Hickman Engineering keeps cargo vessels, ferries, fishing boats, and offshore support vessels moving with comprehensive marine engineering services. Operating from our base in Immingham and deploying mobile units across the UK and Europe, we provide rapid, cost-effective ship repairs and maintenance packages designed to minimise off-hire time and protect your marine assets.
What is Marine Vessel Maintenance & Repair?
Marine engineering involves the proactive maintenance, rapid breakdown repair, and specialist fabrication required to keep vessels and offshore assets seaworthy. The marine environment is incredibly harsh, subjecting equipment to constant saltwater corrosion, severe vibration, and extreme weather. Rather than enduring long delays in dry dock, our mobile marine engineering services bring workshop capabilities directly to your vessel—whether alongside, at anchorage, or in the yard—ensuring all repairs meet rigorous Lloyds Register and marine classification standards.
Comprehensive Marine Engineering Capabilities
We act as your outsourced marine engineering department. Our specialist teams deliver targeted solutions for the maritime sector:
Marine Pipework & Welding Services
We fabricate, fit, and test high-pressure marine pipework, including ballast tank systems, seawater cooling, and fuel lines. Our coded welders specialise in marine pipe welding, working with marine-grade materials like CuNi alloys, duplex, and super duplex stainless steel to ensure complete structural integrity.
Precision Machining & Aftermarket & Bespoke Parts
When critical marine components fail, our machining division can manufacture bespoke replacements, from propeller shafts to custom deck equipment. If a part is obsolete, we reverse-engineer it to get your vessel back in operation swiftly without relying on slow international supply chains.
Engine Overhauls & Servicing & Maintenance
Led by technical specialists like Matt Balderson, we possess extensive experience overhauling marine propulsion systems, including Cummins, Gardner, and Volvo Penta engines. We manage complete vessel refits, engine alignments, and preventative maintenance schedules to prepare your fleet for annual Lloyds surveys.
Heavy Repairs & Structural Fabrication
We perform critical structural repairs to vessel hulls, ramps, bulwarks, and deck inserts. From repairing impact damage to fixing complex hydraulic winches and cranes, our team ensures your vessel remains compliant and operational.
Marine Case Studies
We apply our marine engineering expertise across a wide variety of commercial ships and private craft:
We completed a major top-to-bottom vessel overhaul, including engine and gearbox alignment, electrical rewiring, and hull plate repairs, bringing the vessel back to full seaworthy status.
MF Shipping Group’s Ballast Tank Pipework
We fabricated and installed a custom reducer spool for a ballast tank within a day and a half, ensuring the vessel’s docking schedule remained entirely uninterrupted.
We diagnosed severe running issues on a private pleasure craft, subsequently replacing the original engine with a new Beta Marine unit, complete with bespoke mountings and custom exhaust modifications.
The 24/7 Flat Rate Promise
Tides and sailing schedules do not stop for weekends, and neither do we. We operate a continuous marine response service with a highly transparent pricing structure. We charge a flat rate regardless of the time or day—meaning a Tuesday afternoon costs the exact same as a Bank Holiday weekend. If you are within 20 miles of our Immingham base, we guarantee a 90-minute response time to act as your dedicated emergency marine engineers. Contact Hickman Engineering today to keep your vessels sailing safely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of marine vessels do you repair?
We repair and maintain a vast array of vessels, including commercial cargo ships, ferries, Ro-Ro vessels, fishing boats, tugs, offshore support vessels, and private pleasure craft.
Can you perform ship repairs while the vessel is alongside?
Yes. Our mobile engineering units are fully equipped to bring workshop capabilities directly to your vessel. We conduct commercial ship repairs alongside the quay, at anchorage, or in the yard to drastically minimise your off-hire time.
Do your welders have marine-specific certifications?
Absolutely. Our coded welders are fully certified and experienced in working to stringent Lloyds Register standards. We work extensively with marine-grade materials including 316L stainless steel, CuNi alloys, duplex, and super duplex.
Do you provide emergency marine pipe welding?
Yes, we specialise in the emergency repair and fabrication of high-pressure marine pipework, including ballast, seawater cooling, and hydraulic systems, fully backed by comprehensive Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to ensure compliance.
Can you manage our entire fleet’s maintenance?
Yes. We offer comprehensive marine fleet management. We act as your outsourced engineering department, managing everything from scheduled monthly checklists to Lloyds survey preparations and seasonal winterisation.
Do you charge overtime for emergency ship repairs at night?
No. In line with our 24/7 Flat Rate Promise, we do not inflate our prices for after-hours work. You pay the standard rate whether we are called out for a midnight emergency or a bank holiday weekend, ensuring transparent and fair pricing.
