Duqm Naval Dockyard (DND) has completed its first drydocking project — the repair, overhaul and drydocking (ROH DD) of the fast expeditionary transport ship, the USNS Choctaw County.
DND, a joint venture between Babcock International and the Oman Dry Dock Company (ODC) was established in Duqm, Oman, in June 2017.
As explained, the completed contract for the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) represents another significant milestone in the JV and demonstrates the capability of DND for future work packages with the U.S Navy.
The work, which was carried out in No2 Dry dock at Duqm, involved complex work on hull systems, internal systems and the ship’s stern ramp, which is a key feature of these flexible platforms, enabling the swift embarkation and disembarkation of vehicles, stores and personnel in challenging conditions where pier side support may not be available.
The USNS Choctaw County is a ‘Spearhead’ class fast expeditionary transport, used by U.S. Military Sealift Command for the fast transport of troops and material in the Middle East theatre of operations.
“With an ‘on cost, on time’ contract delivery, our team at Duqm has the proven expertise and capability to successfully deliver complex warship and auxiliary contracts, including dry docking of specialist vessels like USNS Choctaw Count,” Al Stangroom, Babcock Oman’s Managing Director, said.
“Our … commercial repair team has worked hand in glove as partners since June 2017, and I welcome the additional warship repair capability that is now represented by the increasingly mature JV,” Said Hamood Said Al Maawali, CEO of ODC, commented.
“The successful completion of this contract is a major step forward, demonstrating Duqm is a competitive and fully capable dockyard for the maintenance, overhaul and repair of customer’s warships.”