Oman Drydock Announces 200th Drydocking
Oman Drydock Company (ODC), based in the Middle East’s new mega city of Duqm, signaled its "passionate and driving ambition" to catapult itself further into the region’s multibillion dollar ship repair industry after completing its 200th drydocking since launching in 2011.
A ceremony was held at the shipyard, which cost $1.5 billion to build, to celebrate the landmark with shipping giant Maersk whose vessel, the 4388 TEU Maersk Wisconsin, was the 200th ship to be drydocked by ODC.
ODC Chief Executive Yong Duk Park said completing 200 vessels reflected the company's growing stature as it aims to position itself as one of the best shipyards in the world: “We are absolutely delighted to mark our 200th ship milestone with our hugely valued client Maersk,” he said. “This moment is a powerful statement to the industry that ODC is now a major player in the Middle East. We have worked enormously hard to develop a robust track record working on a wide variety of ships from Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to container ships to LNG and LPG carriers to chemical carriers dredgers, RO-ROs and barges. We can now show the shipping industry we not only have world class facilities, which include our massive dry docks which can accommodate any size of vessel, but we are developing the workforce, skills base, training and infrastructure that our customers demand. We have listened to our clients and we are offering efficient turnaround times, tremendous value, and world class workmanship. We are, of course, still seeking to grow and improve. As a result we are actively looking to recruit more sub contractors to our supply chain who can match our standards and share our vision. There are numerous tax breaks and incentives available and we encourage companies with the right background to get in touch.”
Deputy CEO Sheikh Khalil bin Ahmed Al Salmi said ODC would now redouble its worldwide campaign to raise the profile of ODC and its prime selling points: “ODC has a passionate driving ambition to become one of the prime ship repair yards in the world and the Middle East,” he said. “We know we can deliver on quality, cost and critically time. Our geographical location thrusts us into pole position for the Asia to Europe shipping route as well as the East African and Indian off shore industries. We can further slash costs and the time required for drydocking as vessels do not need to greatly deviate their course. This can save days in time, and a huge amount of money, which is such a key factor for shipping operators balancing tight budgets. Other key selling points include our unrivalled painting services and ability to deal with sludge and slops disposal (see notes to editors 1). With painting we have the perfect climate that few other yards can offer. With slops we can save up to three days sailing time as we can deal with it all here on site, there is no need to sail to another location. We intend to market all these benefits hard in the coming months and years."
Sheikh Al Salmi said the container ship market has substantial potential for ODC: “Our focus moving forward will be to win more business from existing and new customers operating carriers, tankers and container ships,” he said. “We see real potential for growth particularly in becoming a centre of excellence for the repair of container ships and LNG carriers (LNGC). As a result we will be ramping up the promotion of our services, which are among the most advanced in the world. This includes offering customers the in depth technical support we receive from our partner Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Company Ltd (DSME) and its subsidiary DSEC. 2014 will see DSEC forge a closer partnership with ODC to provide specialist LNGC repair technology. This will cover areas such as cargo containment systems and the supply chain of various materials such as INVAR, insulation boxes, membranes, prefabricated panels and cryogenic safety valves. Meanwhile, we are also investing in new facilities including renovating our cryogenic shop so it can cater to repairing up to four LNGCs at any one time. Our expansion into LNGC will further be strengthened by our new license to support the French engineering firm Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) which specializes in cargo containment systems for high-end LNG carriers. “
Elsewhere ODC is chasing down major growth opportunities in the off shore market. ODC can provide repair and conversion services to jack up drilling rigs, drill ships and FPSOs. It also offers a range of engineering, testing and trial services for offshore projects including the construction of offshore accommodation barges, offshore jackets and platforms as well as topside modules and subsea pipeline manifolds.