Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Managing Post-Repair Warranties (Warranty Claims)

A defect discovered three months after leaving dry dock is not automatically the shipyard's problem by definition: it only becomes one if notification and documentation follow the contractual warranty procedure.

warranty claims warranty shipyard BIMCO RepairCon

## Operational Explanation

The post-repair warranty period (typically 12 months from delivery, according to the terms negotiated in the repair contract) covers defects attributable to shipyard materials or workmanship during dry dock work. Unlike pre-work contract negotiation (addressed as a separate topic in repair contract management), warranty management concerns the subsequent phase: what to do when, months after leaving dry dock, a repaired or replaced component shows a defect.

Timeliness and documentation quality are decisive: a warranty claim notified beyond contractual deadlines, or without sufficient evidence linking the defect to the work performed, risks rejection even when the cause is objectively attributable to the shipyard.

## Regulatory Reference

There is no dedicated IMO framework for post-repair warranties; terms are entirely contractual, typically based on the warranty clauses of the BIMCO RepairCon framework or equivalent contracts, which define warranty duration, notification procedure, and allocation of responsibility for defects found after delivery.

## Scope of Application

Every ship that has recently completed dry dock or repair berth work, within the contractually defined warranty period, with the Superintendent responsible for managing claim notification and documentation.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify the specific warranty terms of the applicable repair contract (duration, notification procedure, exclusions) before submitting a claim.
2. Notify the defect to the shipyard in writing within contractual deadlines, even when the cause is not yet fully established.
3. Document the defect with photographs, operational data and, when possible, an independent technical opinion linking the defect to the work performed during the dry dock.
4. Retain all original work documentation (repair specification, test reports, material certificates) as a reference for demonstrating the causal link.
5. Coordinate with the shipyard the modalities of warranty intervention (repair at the current port, return to the shipyard, or refund), as provided by the contract.

## Practical Example

Example: four months after leaving dry dock, a replaced bearing shows abnormal wear; the Superintendent notifies the shipyard within 5 working days as required by the contract, attaching the original test report of the component and operational data excluding improper use as an alternative cause.

## Real Cases

Effective post-repair warranty management depends decisively on the quality of documentation retained during the work: claims rejected for insufficient evidence are frequently traceable to incomplete or scattered original work documentation, which makes it difficult to demonstrate the causal link between the defect and the shipyard's intervention months later.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Warranty claim notified beyond contractual deadlines | Rejection of the claim regardless of the technical merit of the defect | Always notify the defect within contractual deadlines, even before a complete technical assessment
Original work documentation (repair specification, tests, material certificates) not systematically retained after leaving dry dock | Inability to demonstrate the causal link between the defect and the shipyard's work | Always retain complete work documentation as a reference for possible future claims
Defect generically attributed to the shipyard without a technical opinion linking the cause to the specific work performed | Claim challengeable by the shipyard for lack of demonstrated causal link | Always document the defect with a technical opinion explicitly linking the cause to the warranty work performed

## PSC Observations

Post-repair warranty management is not subject to direct PSC verification, being a contractual matter between owner and shipyard, unless the unresolved defect generates a deficiency verifiable during an inspection.

## Operational Tips

- Always notify the defect within contractual deadlines, even when the cause is not yet fully established: the notification deadline does not wait for the technical assessment.
- Always retain complete documentation of the original work: it is the decisive evidence in the event of a warranty claim months later.
- Document every defect with a technical opinion explicitly linking the cause to the work performed, don't limit yourself to a generic description of the problem.

## Checklist

- Warranty terms of the repair contract verified (duration, notification procedure, exclusions)
- Defect notified in writing to the shipyard within contractual deadlines
- Defect documented with photographs, operational data and technical opinion
- Original work documentation retained and available as a reference
- Warranty intervention modalities coordinated with the shipyard according to the contract

## FAQ

How long does the warranty period typically last after dry dock?
Typically 12 months from delivery, according to the terms negotiated in the repair contract, but the exact duration and any exclusions should always be verified in the specific applicable contract.
What happens if a warranty claim is notified late relative to contractual deadlines?
The claim risks rejection for procedural reasons, regardless of the technical merit of the defect: this is why timely notification takes priority over a complete technical assessment.
What documentation is needed to support a warranty claim?
Photographs of the defect, relevant operational data, a technical opinion linking the cause to the work performed, and original work documentation (repair specification, test reports, material certificates).
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Managing Shipyard Repair Contracts Dry Dock Entry Planning

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