Everything is weight and space constrained
There is no plant room to expand into and no roof to put a chiller on. Duct routes compete with structure, cable trays and piping in the same congested envelope. Every kilogram carries a stability consequence, which pushes design toward compact, high-velocity systems that demand tighter balancing tolerances.
The building moves
Roll, pitch and heave affect condensate drainage, refrigerant oil return and the behaviour of any component that relies on gravity. Systems that work perfectly alongside can behave differently once the vessel is in a seaway.
Corrosion and containment are constant
Salt-laden air attacks coils, casings and fasteners continuously. Material selection, coating specification and accessible cleaning provisions matter more than on shore, and hazardous area classification governs equipment selection in ways that shore projects rarely encounter.
Verification happens on a short window
Testing and balancing must fit the yard programme, often with limited access and competing trades. Planning the sequence in advance is the difference between a clean handover and a snag list that follows the vessel to sea.
