MARITIME PR NEWS FROM POLARIS MEDIA
Oman Drydock Company (ODC), based in the Middle East’s new mega city of Duqm (Notes to editors 2), signalled its ‘passionate and driving ambition’ to catapult itself further into the region’s multi- billion dollar ship repair industry after completing its 200th drydocking since launching in 2011.
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A ceremony was held at the shipyard, which cost $1.5bn 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 (see Notes to editors 1), 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 specialises 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 top-side modules and sub-sea pipeline manifolds.
For further details on ODC, contact marketing director Mr Johnny Woo at the Muscat office: Al Azaiba, P.O. Box : 3972, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 2452 0255 Email: jwwoo@dsme.co.kr, jwwoo@omandrydock.com Visit: www.omandrydock.com
Notes to editors 1 – 2
1) Oman Drydock Company background:
• In 2006, the Omani Government established Oman Drydock Company (ODC) in Duqm located in the central area of Oman in order to develop and diversify heavy industries in Oman in addition to the oil refinery industry.
• At the same time Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. (DSME) of Korea signed a contract of management and operation of ODC. Currently 30 professionals above manager class including the CEO from DSME are working for ODC.
• ODC has a total of 1.3 million square meters of land in Duqm for its operations. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including:
Two ULCC class graving docks (410m x 95m, 410m x 80m)
Five quays of 2,800 m long with water depth of 9-10 meters
14 units of jib crane with lifting capacity of 100 ton to 40 ton
A slop and sludge treatment facility including slop tanks to store 10,000 cubic meters
Five workshops covering outfitting, electrical works, machinery, hulls, blasting and painting and cryogenics
2) Duqm – ‘new trading centre of Middle East’
ODC, forms a centre piece of His Majesty the Sultan’s formidably ambitious 10 year $15bn masterplan to transform the town of Duqm into ‘an economic powerhouse’. Over the next 20 years Duqm is expected to see supercharged growth driven by the thriving shipping, petrochemical, logistics and offshore industries. The Duqm master plan is part of the Sultan’s 2020 vision which seeks to diversify Oman’s economy.
FACTFILE AL DUQM — The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD)
DUQM
Duqm is located 450km (280 miles) south of Muscat, based in Al Wusta Govornate.
$15bn investment to create world leading multi- industrial, maritime, commercial and logistics hub.
Plans include petrochemical factory, a refinery, an airport, beach-front hotels, and housing for more than 100,000 people.
Further plans are taking shape to build roads, pipelines and railways to link up with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The largest development of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and among the biggest globally.
Expected to generate 20,000 jobs.
Strategically located for world maritime industry on southeast Arabian peninsula.
Attractive and convenient for foreign investors – package of incentives for setting up operations with tax breaks and land deals.
Package includes 100 per cent foreign ownership and tax exemptions.
The business area has attracted investors from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
The authority promises to provide a full range of infrastructural facilities for investors.
Total land area of 1,770 sq km is divided into two parts, designed to enable the Authority to gradually expand it.
Currently focused on an 800 sq km area which includes the dry dock.
Construction work on a major refinery is expected to start in 2015 with completion slated for 2018.
The project aims at enhancing the Sultanate’s status in the field of petrochemical industries, while generating significant job opportunities for Omanis.
VISIT: www.duqm.gov.om