(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman Drydock Co (ODC) said it intends to unleash its potential to become one of the leading shipyards in the world for new construction conversion and repair after completing its first major conversion contract and 300th dry docking.
The US$1.5bn shipyard which is one of the biggest and best equipped in the world was launched in 2011.
ODC announced the conversion of Greek-owned crude oil carrier Olympic Luck at a special ceremony at the shipyard. Vessel owners Springfield Shipping Co joined the event.
ODC chairman Dr Abdulmalik al Hinai said the shipyard is developing a formidable reputation for repair and conversion services and is now gearing up to attack the global shipbuilding market.
"We are extremely proud to announce the completion of this project which saw the Olympic Luck converted from an oil bulk ore carrier to a very large crude carrier" the ODC chairman said. "This was the first major conversion job we undertook and is a terrific showcase for the world-class infrastructure facilities and workforce we have.
"The vessel weighs more than 319000 tonnes and is close to 314m in length. More than 1000 men worked on the job which involved 3000 tonnes of steelwork and was completed in around 80 days' Hinai added.
ODC chief executive Yong Duk Park said the conversion was helped enormously by the highly sophisticated expertise of Korean shipbuilding giant DSME which is ODC's partner. Park said few other shipyards in the Gulf can match the level of conversion and shipbuilding skills at ODC's disposal because of its partnership with DSME.
Springfield Shipping general manager Dimitris Patrikios said ODC's ability to deliver the complex conversion project could lead to future work with the yard. 'This was a unique project which helped to show the professional expertise of ODC' he said.
'It was the first time ODC has taken on a project of this scale. Our decision to award the contract was based on ODC's promise to complete the project with high quality.'
Hinai said ODC is looking to capitalise on its unique selling points to catapult itself further into the global multi-billion dollar ship repair conversion and build industry.
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