The delivery of three corvettes destined for the Royal Navy of Oman is resecheduled

By Andrew Chuter

Published: 5 May 2011 08:31
 

The delivery of three corvettes destined for the Royal Navy of Oman has been hit by the discovery of a series of engineering problems found during sea trials of Al Shamikh, the first of class being built by BAE Systems Surface Ships.

Oman inaugurates the container carrier "Fanja"

- Amal Hasson

Sunday, 19 December 2010 22:39

Oman (Muscat) - The first voyage of the container carrier "Fanja" from the Sultanate's ports to the ports of the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea was inaugurated in Port Sultan Qaboos today under the auspices of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and Chairman of Oman Shipping Company (OSC) in the presence of officials and ambassadors to the Sultanate and chairmen of the companies operating in various shipping fields in the Sultanate.

No shipowners are panicking after the attack in the Strait of Hormuz

Reuters August 8, 2010 1:04 AM

Militants attacked a Japanese supertanker with explosives near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most

Al Shamikh Launching Ceremony

11:38 GMT, August 2, 2009

Royal Navy of Oman Vessel (RNOV) Al Shamikh, being designed and built by BVT Surface Fleet in Portsmouth, has been formally named during a Launching Ceremony in Portsmouth Naval Base by His Highness AL Sayyed Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, last week.

The event was also attended by UK Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, Quentin Davies, Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al-Raisi, Commander Royal Navy of Oman and senior representatives from the Royal Navy.

This Corvette, the first of three 99 metre vessels under Project Khareef, is designed to meet and augment RNO operational capabilities. It has the endurance and ability to operate for long periods in high seas and the capability to embark a helicopter during deployment.Project Khareef is considered a landmark project for the RNO and this class of vessel will be the most advanced of their type in the world when completed.

They are also believed to be the first ships ever to be built in Portsmouth Naval Base specifically for an overseas navy.Speaking after the launch, Chief Executive of BVT Surface Fleet, Alan Johnston said: "Project Khareef confirms BVT's standing as one of the world's leading exporters of naval ships and the naming of RNOV Al Shamikh today is another milestone in the long and successful relationship that BVT enjoys with Oman.

Moreover, it is a mark of the special relationship and close co-operation built on friendship and trust, which Oman and Great Britain have enjoyed for many years."We have been building ships for the RNO for over 30 years and are delighted to be building these impressive, state-of-the art vessels that will considerably enhance the capability of the Royal Navy of Oman".

Backgrounder:

The contract to build three Corvettes for the RNO under Project Khareef was signed on 15 January 2007 between VT Group and the Government of Oman, and transferred to BVT Surface Fleet upon its formation in July 2008.

About the 99m Omani Corvettes:

Length overall 99metres

Waterline length 90metres

Breadth moulded 14.6metres

Draught amidships 4.1metres

Speed approx 25knots

Range at 16knots 3500nmEndurance 21days

Roles and missions:-

- Protection of maritime areas of interest including EEZ

- Extended surveillance patrols

- Deterrent operations during times of tension

- Fully interoperable with joint and coalition operations

- Special operations- Search and rescue

- Maritime disaster relief operations

Company or Organisation Portrait:

BVT Surface Fleet, a Joint Venture between BAE Systems and VT Group, is a leader in the design, manufacture, integration and support of naval ships, delivering complex engineering, integration and through-life support across the lifecycle of a vessel.

With operations in Glasgow, Portsmouth and Filton near Bristol, it employs over 7,000 people and has the facilities, skills and partnerships to set the global standard in excellence as a trusted and innovative through-life surface warship partner in both the UK and export markets.

Company or Organisation Contact:

Charles Thompson, BVT Surface Fleet

Tel: +44 (0)7736 810933

Published in

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/8896/

Oman Shipping fleet expansion

Eric WatkinsSenior Correspondent

LOS ANGELES, Mar. 27 -- Oman's state-owned Oman Shipping Co. (OSC) plans to spend $4 billion in the next 3-4 years to expand its fleet as part of the country's latest effort to upgrade its oil industry.

OSC Chief Financial Officer Kuldeep Mathur said the expansion will facilitate exports of the country's crude and products in response to expected future demand.

The expansion planned by OSC, whose stakeholders are the Ministry of Finance and Oman Oil Co., is part of the sultanate's broader vision to upgrade shipping and chartering and enable it to depend less on leased vessels.

Oman, like other Persian Gulf states, also is trying to diversify its economy away from oil, which generates almost half its gross domestic product, because production is declining. An expanded fleet can transport Omani hydrocarbons or can be chartered out.

Part of OSCs multibillion dollar expansion includes a recent order to build 10 very large crude carriers, five with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and five with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.

OSC also is in discussions with the National Iranian Tanker Co. to secure a long-term charter contract for at least five of the supertankers.

International pressure and the implementation of broad-based sanctions on Iran, led by the US, have made it difficult for the Islamic Republic to access funding from financial institutions for the construction of VLCCs.

"Yes, we are discussing the option with [Iran], along with others, but we are not decided yet," Mathur said.

Last May, Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. and OSC formed a 50-50 joint venture to build a 110,000 ton capacity products tanker that primarily will carry gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel to China, Europe, and the US.

Sasebo Heavy Industries Co. will build the carrier at a cost of about ¥8 billion, and the Japanese firm also will begin operating it as early as 2009.

The agreement marks the fifth ship that Mitsui OSK and OSC will jointly own for hauling crude and petroleum products produced in Oman.

In June 2006 the two firms launched two companies (one for an LR2-type product tanker, another for an LPG carrier), while in June 2005 they started two others, one for a VLCC and another for an LR1-type product tanker.

Contact Eric Watkins at hippalus@yahoo.com.

Published in

http://www.ogj.com/display_article/324224/7/ONART/none/Trasp/1/Oman-Shipping-starts-$4-billion-fleet-expansion/