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PICS: Oman Drydock berths largest vessel in its history

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

PICS: Oman Drydock berths largest vessel in its history

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 and with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes. 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 and with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes. [More Images]

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Oman Drydock Company has taken delivery of the largest vessel in the company’s history for a specialist dry docking project for Oman Shipping Company (OSC).

The US $1.5-billion drydock is based in the new maritime and logistics hub of Duqm, in the Governate of Al Wusta and the work on the ‘Sohar Max’ iron ore carrier for OSC is expected to take 11 days.

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 and with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes.

Acting CEO of Oman Drydock, Ahmed Al Abri, said the dry dock is also preparing for another high-profile project with Sohar Max’s sister-ship, another iron ore giant Liwa Max in the coming months.

“Maintenance work on the Sohar Max is now well underway and will be 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 have 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 the shipyard is now 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,” he added.