Oman Drydock Company has taken delivery of the largest vessel in the company’s history – iron ore carrier Sohar Max – for a specialist dry docking project.
The $1.5billion drydock is based in the new ports and logistics city of Duqm, in the Governate of Al Wusta. It is currently delivering an 11-day maintenance project for the Oman Shipping Company (OSC) carrier.
The Sohar Max is the biggest vessel in size to enter the dry dock since it opened in 2011, measuring 360 metres in length, 65 metres in width with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes.
ODC Acting CEO Dr Ahmed Al Abri said the dry dock is also preparing for another high-profile project with Sohar Max sister-ship, and fellow iron ore giant Liwa Max in the coming months.
“Maintenance work on the Sohar Max is now well underway and will completed to a tight time schedule,” he said. “It involves complex repair and maintenance work. Key areas of delivery include painting, replacement of consumable parts, repairing defective parts and carrying out other works related to technological aspects.
“In the last six years we have formed a strong alliance with OSC which is one of the largest shipping companies in the Gulf. The Sohar Max is the latest in a series of successful projects delivered for OSC dating back to 2011, when we received the VLGC ‘Muscat’. This was followed by a collection of other OSC vessels including ‘Manah’, ‘Saham’, ‘Mirbat’, ‘Al A’mirat’ and Sumail. We are now also making preparations to accommodate bulk carrier Liwa Max, of similar dimensions to Sohar Max.”
ODC is the largest ship repair yard in the Middle East. It can accommodate any size of vessel (see notes to editors 1) with one of the longest docks in the Middle East at 2.8km. Dr Al Abri said these facilities combined with a solid commitment to delivering on cost, quality and time make the dry dock ideally suited to the world’s largest vessels.
“In total we received more than 462 vessels since 2011,” he said. “We have developed a robust track record working on a broad range of projects from VLCCs to container vessels, RO-ROs, barges, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, chemical carriers and vehicle carriers. While initially largely focused on repair we are now very much geared up and actively seeking new build and conversion work. This follows successful projects including the Greek-owned Olympic Luck which ODC converted from an Oil Bulk Ore carrier to a Very Large Crude Carrier.
“We currently employ a total number of 2000 workers from 10 different nations. This has risen consistently in line growth to ensure the right levels of skill and resource. However, it is the speed and efficiency of our service combined with our world class facilities and location which enables us to win work and crucially attract repeat business. We are perfectly positioned for the Asia to Europe shipping route as well as the East African and Indian off shore industries. Vessels do not have to greatly deviate their course helping to slash costs and the time required for dry docking.
“The dry dock also benefits from a perfect climate for painting which few other yards can match as well as the largest sludge and slops terminal in the Middle East at 10,000 cubic metres.”
Background
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.
ODC is pushing its services as a centre of excellence for the repair of container ships and LNG carriers (LNGC). This covers 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.
ODC is also targeting growth in the offshore market where it 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.
2) Duqm – ‘a new maritime hub for the 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.
It is undergoing a $15bn investment to create a world leading multi-industrial, maritime, commercial and logistics hub. Plans include a 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.
It is 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