Oman Drydock to convert two more OBOs to VLCCs

ODC Chief Executive Yong Duk Park: Conversions will tap DSME expertise

JUNE 3, 2015 — Two OBO carriers originally built for Nobu Su’s TMT are to be converted to 319, 869 dwt VLCCs for the Onassis Foundation’s Springfield Shipping. The chosen shipyard for the multimillion dollar conversions is Oman Drydock Company (ODC), which is managed and operated by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Engineering.

The work will see the 2010 built Selma B (ex-D Whale) emerge from ODC as the Olympic Lion and the 2009 built Camilla T (ex H Whale) as Olympic Leopard. The deal follows an identical job ODC completed for Springfield on the Olympic Luck (ex B Whale) that was successfully completed in January this year.

“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,” said ODC chairman Dr Abdulmalik Bin Abdullah Al Hinai. “Converting the Olympic Lion and Olympic Leopard will send a big message to the industry about ODC’s capabilities, competitive advantages and ambitions for future growth.”

He added that he anticipated that work would begin in June and will employ around 500 workers and would involve more than 6,000 tonnes of steel.

ODC Chief Executive Yong Duk Park said the conversions will be managed using the highly sophisticated expertise of ODC partner DSME. Mr 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.

“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 tonnes 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.”