Oman Drydock Company (ODC) and UK’s Babcock International Group (BIG), a leading engineering support services company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at jointly developing a naval capability in Duqm, Oman, said a report.

The signing follows a period of concentrated efforts to bring together ODC’s well-established commercial shipyard and Babcock’s international naval support expertise, with a vision to create a joint venture (JV) capable of providing local and international navies with world-class engineering services in such a strategic location, added the Oman Daily Observer report.

Babcock Warship support director Mike Whalley said that this achievement is an important positive step towards a common goal, and the company is fully committed to continue to develop this initiative with ODC.

ODC’s deputy CEO for operations Dr Ahmed al Abri noted that this agreement consolidates the strategy to expand the scope of Oman Dry Dock services to reach a wider customer segment locally and internationally.

He added that the JV seeks to implement the best international practices in the maritime sector through specialised quality services for commercial and naval customers, in constant pursuit to be best shipyard in the region.