Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: On the back of a very successful performance in drydockings, conversions and repairs in first half of 2015, Oman Drydock Company (ODC) has unveiled its action plan for the year 2016.
This year the company plans to further extend its range of activities and plans to offer specialist services like complex painting, retrofitting, modification, restructuring and the installation of Ballast Water systems, ODC deputy CEO Dr Ahmed Al Abri, said. “We will also be targeting the industrial and offshore sectors for steel fabrication works,” he added.
ODC is one of the biggest shipyards in the world and is based in Duqm, Oman’s new ports and logistics hub.
During July to December 2015 the shipyard completed work for various clients like Maran, Dynacom, SCI, Springfield, PIL, Mercator TMS, Synergy, Gulf Marine, Oman Shipping, Gas Cat, Maersk, CMA, Exmar, NYK, Red Sea and Sea Traders. Vessels worked on at the shipyard included Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), crude oil tankers, container ships, LNG and LPG carriers, chemical carriers, bulk carriers, as well as dredgers, RO-ROs and barges.
“We are immensely proud of the work done in the last six months. The wide range of contracts show world-class skills, facilities and expertise that we have,” Dr Al Abri said.
In October 2015 ODC completed our third major conversion of an ore bulk oil (OBO) ship into a VLCC for Springfield this year. These massive conversions are right at the cutting edge of shipyard engineering employing 500 men and deploying the considerable expertise of our Korean partner DSME.
The conversion works entailed removing bulkhead covers and installing new swash bulkheads and making the vessels multi-functional for more efficient loading. Between the three conversions we fabricated close to 120 blocks between 50 and 80 tonnes. This enabled us to build in larger portions, reducing on time and cost. We believe this track record in conversions sends a powerful message to the shipping industry and can catapult us further into the multi-billion global conversion industry, he said.
Dr Al Abri said that the company aims to further increase its activities in the LNG sector by utilising the knowledge and expertise of our partner DSME. “With world class facilities and geographical location we strongly believe we are one of the most advanced and best equipped yards in the world for LNG tankers,” he said.
The company has also worked on many LNG vessels for owners including Oman Shipping, Exmnar and GasCat, undertaking repairs and maintenance, hull blasting and painting, cargo tank inspection by GTT and the overhaul of machinery.
ODC LNG services cover key areas such as the supply chain of various materials including invar, insulation boxes, membranes, prefabricated panels and cryogenic safety valves. Further investment has included renovation to its cryogenic shop so it can repair up to four LNGCs at any one time.
Dr Al Abri said other important jobs in the last six months have included applying an epoxy tank coating to a product tanker in a tight deadline with very high standards. Also, the yard has prefabricated a massive steel platform structure of more than 12,700 tonnes for an oil field for a client. It has also further undertaken refits of a navy ship and large yacht.
“ODC is a passionate, hungry, young business with a massive appetite to grow and build long term relationships with our clients,” he said.
“We have built a solid track record in the last few years our customers can see in our world class shipyard. We are tackling issues that have slowed operations in the past, such as visa, customs and bureaucracy and are expanding supply chain by building strong alliances with a broad cross section of companies including welders, blasters and engine suppliers,” he said.
Elaborating about ODC’s unique selling points Dr Al Abi said, “Our geographical location has put us in pole position for the Asia to Europe shipping route as well as the East African and Indian offshore industries.”
“The convenience we can offer means ship owners can save time and money by not having to deviate course by having to go through the Strait of Hormuz. Our size is a massive advantage for a wide range of engineering projects. We have two giant drydocks and can accommodate ships of any size. And if circumstances dictate, we still have the space and planning permission to double in current size again. Moreover, our climate provides the perfect weather conditions for painting and the 10,000m3 capacity slops and sludge terminal can save up to three days sailing time since we can deal with everything on site," he added.
