DUQM Naval Dockyard (DND) has completed its first dry docking project, the repair, overhaul and dry docking (ROH DD) of the fast expeditionary transport ship – the USNS Choctaw County.

DND, a joint venture (JV) between Babcock International and the Oman Dry Dock Company (ODC) was established in Duqm, Oman in June 2017 and is a strategic location in Babcock International’s global support footprint. The completed contract for the US Military Sealift Command (MSC) represents another milestone in the JV and demonstrates the capability of DND for future work packages with the US Navy, said a statement. The work, which was carried out in No 2 Dry dock at Duqm, involved complex work on hull systems enabling the swift embarkation and disembarkation of vehicles, stores and personnel in challenging conditions.

Al Stangroom, Babcock Oman’s managing director, said: “With an ‘on cost, on time’ contract delivery, our team at Duqm has the proven expertise and capability to deliver complex warship and auxiliary contracts, including dry docking of specialist vessels like USNS Choctaw County.”

Said Hamood Said Al Maawali, chief executive officer of ODC, said: “Our experienced commercial repair team has worked hand in glove as partners since June 2017, and I welcome the additional warship repair capability that is now represented by the increasingly mature JV.”