Oman Drydock Receives Largest Vessel in Company History

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 mega 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 meters in length, 65 meters in width with a capacity of 400,000 tons.

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 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 meters.”