Muscat: Asyad Dry Dock in Duqm records revenues of OMR57 million and a net profit of OMR12 million at the end of the year 2022 as it continues to support the national economy.
It has established its leadership and competitiveness in marine services and solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, becoming a global provider of maintenance and repair services for giant ships.
Since its inception in 2011, the number of projects it has implemented has topped more than 1,300 maintenance projects from more than 550 local and international commercial clients from 45 countries.
During the past year, Asyad Dry Dock carried out maintenance work for 221 ships, including 190 ships for periodic maintenance and 31 ships for the implementation of other projects.
These included the installation of new equipment and navigation aids that support the marine industry to make the life cycle of ships safe, reliable and sustainable, thus achieving a competitive number in the average period of time. Vessel repair and maintenance took 14 days, compared to an average of 18 days for other regional basins.
Asyad Dry Dock also added shipbuilding services to its business portfolio, as it was able to provide its services to the regional market by building ships with standard specifications for various uses such as shipping and navigational services to meet the growing needs of its customers.
The Asyad Group developed a plan for expansion for 2023-2027, which included the purchase of a floating dock, the construction of new workshops, warehouses and equipment, and a section specialised in shipbuilding.
The capacity of 20 percent for maintenance and repair services for various sizes and types of ships. The current dry dock area accommodates three floating docks in the future, which are characterised by lower construction costs and speed when building and manufacturing, compared to dry docks.
The CEO of Maritime Transport and Dry Dock at Asyad Group, stated in a statement to Oman News Agency that the capabilities of the dry dock and the reliability of its services allow it to attract the largest operators and leading companies in the sector, as the competitive advantages enjoyed by the dock.
This include the strategic location, prices, services, time, quality of work, and the adoption of the highest standards of environment, occupational health and safety, are unique and compatible with the requirements and needs of customers, as well as marketing dry dock’s high capabilities in installing large devices such as ship exhaust gas purification devices and ballast water treatment devices, and distinguished technical skills in carrying out repair work for the hulls of ships that are exposed to marine accidents, as the dry dock was recently able to change 600 tonnes of iron for a ship within 6 days.
The dry dock has also recently added a competitive advantage to its list of services by applying the “Nano Epoxy” silicone coating technology in ship maintenance operations, in line with the Asyad Group’s strategy for sustainability, and its commitment to adapting the latest innovative environmentally friendly technologies, by adopting a unique coating at the regional level that provides many advantages. Economic and environmentally friendly advantages.
Regarding other competitive advantages enjoyed by the dry dock in Duqm; he said: “The strategic location of the dry dock, along with its location on the path of international shipping lines; It is located within a low-risk area, according to the classification of international insurance companies, indicating that insurance for ships coming to Duqm Dry Dock is less expensive compared to other regional docks.”
He explained that the dry dock is one of the most prominent and possible companies for the private sector and small and medium enterprises in Duqm. Asyad awarded the dry dock 60 percent of the total contracts concluded for the local market, of which 30 percent were directed to small and medium enterprises during the year 2022 AD.
On the other hand, Asyad Dry Dock worked to support the local community, placing among its priorities a focus on the main pillars of the sustainability strategy adopted by the group, which stems from the national vision of the Sultanate of Oman.
He stated that the dry dock focuses on four important aspects, namely: raising the level of occupational safety to ensure business sustainability, and the dry dock has achieved over the past two years more than 22 million working hours without lost time injuries.
He pointed out that Duqm Airport contributed significantly to finding solutions to some logistical challenges that were previously facing the dry dock, and there is a continuous line on a daily basis between Muscat Governorate and the Wilayat of Duqm to deliver spare parts and equipment, in addition to other direct lines linking the dry dock with the countries of the region, stressing 90 percent of the services provided by the dry dock are carried out in the dry dock in Duqm, and 10 percent of them are through the regional offices.
It is noteworthy that the dry dock at Duqm includes a berth of 2,800 metres in length and a depth ranging between 9-10 metres. It has 14 jib cranes and two docks for ships that enable it to receive ships with a deadweight of up to 600,000 tonnes. The dry dock is also fortified with maintenance facilities and modification of ship use to provide an integrated package of services. General ship repairs, including engineering, electrical, engine engineering, electrical and mechanical systems, propulsion and fittings related work, sanding and painting, as well as procurement and quality control activities.