OMAN Drydock Company (ODC) marked its 200th drydocking at Duqm, 450 km south of Muscat in the Sultanate’s Wosta region.
ODC, which cost $1.5 billion to build, held a ceremony at the shipyard to celebrate the landmark with shipping giant Maersk whose vessel, the 4,388 teu Maersk Wisconsin, was the 200th ship to be drydocked.
The yard handles ships including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), container ships, LNG and LPG carriers, chemical carriers, dredgers, RO-ROs and barges.
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.
“This moment is a powerful statement to the industry that ODC is now a major player in the Middle East.
Park said the company is actively looking to recruit more sub-contractors who could take advantage of tax breaks and incentives.
Deputy CEO Sheikh Khalil bin Ahmed Al Salmi said ODC would now redouble its worldwide campaign to raise its profile 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.
ODC has been highlighting the geographical location of the yard on the shipping route from Asia to Europe and proximity to East African and Indian offshore industries as well as its services including painting and the capability to deal with sludge and slops disposal.
The company says the container ship and LNG carrier (LNGC) market has substantial potential for ODC, noting it enjoys technical support from its 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,” Sheikh Khalil said.
The company is investing in new facilities including renovating its cryogenic shop to repair up to four LNGCs simultaneously. The company has a new licence to support the French engineering firm Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) which specialises in cargo containment systems for high-end
LNG carriers.
ODC is chasing down major growth opportunities in the offshore market. It offers repair and conversion services to jack up drilling rigs, drill ships and FPSOs as well as a range of engineering, testing and trial services for offshore projects including the construction of offshore accommodation barges, offshore jackets and platforms, top-side modules and sub-sea pipeline manifolds.
