Springfield Shipping Awards ODC Two OBO to VLCC Conversions

Oman Drydock Company will announce today at the Nor Shipping trade fair in Oslo, that it has been awarded two massive conversion contracts by Greek ship owner Springfield Shipping.

The multi-million dollar contracts will see ODC convert the recently bought 319,869 dwt meter long 2010 built Selma B to the Olympic Lion and the 2009 built Camilla T to the Olympic Leopard. The ships will be converted from Oil Bulk Ore (OBO) carriers to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The deal follows an identical job ODC completed for Springfield, part of the Onassis Foundation, on the Olympic Luck which was successfully completed in January this year.

ODC chairman Dr. Abdulmalik Bin Abdullah Al Hinai said the shipyard is absolutely delighted to win two more big contracts from Springfield and urged delegates at Nor Shipping to attend ODC’s stand to find out more and meet the team (stand number D06-57).

“The Olympic Luck was the first major conversion job we had undertaken and its success was a tremendous showcase for the world class workforce, skills and infrastructure that we have here at ODC,” he said. “Converting the NAME and NAME will send a big message to the industry about ODC’s capabilities, competitive advantages and ambitions for future growth.”

Dr. Abdulmalik said he anticipated that work would begin in June and will employ around 500 workers and would involve more than 6000 tons of steel.

ODC Chief Executive Yong Duk Park said the conversions will be managed using the highly sophisticated expertise of Korean shipbuilding giant DSME which is ODC’s partner. Mr. Park said few other shipyards in the Gulf can match the level of conversion and ship building skills at ODC’s disposal because of its partnership with DSME.

“These complex, rigorous and demanding conversions will use DSME's broad knowledge of precision engineering and design innovation to inform our construction methods,” he said. “As with the Olympic Luck we expect to fabricate close to 40 blocks between 50 and 80 tons for each vessel. This will enable us to build in larger portions, reducing on time and cost.”

Springfield Shipping Company General Manager Dimitris Patrikios said ODC had been chosen following the immensely impressive job it delivered on the Olympic Luck.

“ODC proved its commitment to the highest standards of excellence on the Olympic Luck,” he said. “We are pleased to award the contract for these two major new conversions to ODC based on quality and the strong working relationship we have built up with its team. ODC has facilities that are truly world class and its team works enormously hard to find efficient solutions to difficult challenges. We very much look forward to working on these conversions and then seeing these magnificent vessels transport oil safely around the world.” 

Dr. Abdulmalik Bin Abdullah Al Hinai said ODC is looking to capitalize on its unique selling points to catapult itself further into the global multi-billion pound ship repair, conversion and build industry.

“Our ambition is to be renowned as the best drydock in the Middle East," he said. "ODC, the port of Duqm and the maritime sector, more widely, have fundamental roles to play in Oman’s future economy. We encourage young people in Oman to grasp the glittering opportunities that the maritime sector offers for long term fulfilling careers. It is important emphasize that the maritime industry offers opportunity for people of all academic backgrounds.

"More specifically for ODC’s geographical location in Duqm thrusts it into pole position for the Asia to Europe shipping route as well as the East African and Indian off shore industries. Duqm’s location means vessels do not have to greatly deviate their course helping to slash costs and the time required for drydocking. This can save days in time, and a huge amount of money, which is such a key factor for shipping operators balancing tight budgets.

"ODC has a number of very strong unique selling points that give us a competitive edge. Our dry docks can accommodate any size of vessel. The shipyard has one of the longest docks in the Middle East at 2.8km. If desired we still have the space and planning permission to double in size again.

"Furthermore ODC has unrivalled painting services and ability to deal with sludge and slops disposal. Our climate provides a perfect environment for painting that few other yards can offer. The slops and sludge terminal has a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters which is the largest in the Middle East. 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.”

ODC has developed a robust track record on a wide variety of ships from VLCCs to container ships, LNG and LPG carriers to chemical carriers, dredgers, RO-ROs and barges. It is rapidly developing its workforce and skill base, using world class workers from more than 12 nations, while boosting training and infrastructure.