The Oman Drydock Company (ODC), one of the Middle East’s newest and biggest shipyards, is announcing its strongest year of trading.

The shipyard undertook 75 drydockings and repairs in 2013 taking the total number to 190 since the yard which was opened in Duqm in Central Oman in 2011. ODC also saw staff numbers increase to more than 2,000 in 2013. The vessels ODC has worked on include 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.  Clients include Dynacom Ship Management, NYK, MSC and Exmar Ship Management, Gulf Marine, the Shipping Corporation of India and Pacific International Lines.

ODC marketing director Johnny Woo said key jobs undertaken included the drydocking and repairs of two crude oil tankers the Karachi, operated by Pakistan National Shipping and the D & K-1 operated by Synergy Maritime.

ODC further undertook work on the MT Gladiator, the first ship from Dynacom Ship Management. As a result ODC now has the ability to work for Dynacom on its other ships including the MT Shanghai, MT Smyrni, MT Eliza and MT Beijing.

“In 2013 we saw ODC continue to establish itself as one of the main ship repair and conversion locations in the Middle East,” he said. “Our focus moving forward will be to win more business from existing and new customers operating carriers, tankers and container ships. We see real potential for growth particularly in becoming a centre of excellence for the repair of 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 liquefied natural gas carriers. “

Woo also said ODC saw major growth opportunities in the off shore market. “ODC can provide repair and conversion services to jack up drilling rigs, drill ships and FPSOs,” he said. “We also offer 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.”

Woo added that ODC’s partnership with South Korean based DSME, one of the world’s biggest shipbuilders, is especially important to the shipyard’s ongoing success. “Our partnership with DSME gives us tremendous experience and technical expertise as it provides 30 highly experienced senior managers, including our CEO Yong Duk Park, to help run the shipyard,” he said. “We believe we offer a formidable package. We have fantastic facilities, a motivated workforce with a broad range of skills and we have a management team with tremendous knowledge of the sector.   We are further committed to the  highest standards of health and safety in accordance with international standards ensuring the safety of everyone at the shipyard.