Drydocks World, the established player is ship repair, conversion and new building participated in the Sea Japan exhibition that was organised at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center from 18-20 April 2012.

Nearly a tenth of the vessels received by Drydocks World belong to Japanese owners and most of these vessels are Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC). Around 13 percent of the company’s business comes from Japan.

“We are putting intense efforts at developing this market as it is of great significance to us. We have a dedicated team with Japanese and Korean speaking skills to address customer queries and implement our customer service programmes. We also have specialized, dedicated highly skilled and experienced team to handle projects. In order to further networking and implement client-servicing, we have an office in the Far East, in close proximity to the client-base to update them on our services, to advance networking possibilities and to assess areas of co-operation with Japanese companies,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks and Maritime World.

HE Saeed bin Ali Al Nowais, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Japan, received the delegation of Drydocks World and provide unlimited during the exhibition and the several meetings that were held. This had a significant impact on the success of the visit and supported the development of trade relations between the UAE and Japan.

Khamis Juma Buamim and the accompanying delegation also held several separate meetings with a number of heads and senior officials in Japan. He met Kazuyoshi Kitamura, Secretary General of the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders and Kiyotaka Higaki, President of the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders.

Khamis Juma Buamim and the accompanying delegation visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the delegation was received by Masato Mori, Director – General Maritime Bureau and senior executives in the Ministry where the Chairman of Drydocks World explained the general strategy of the company and global navigation and touched on the capabilities and resources available to service the huge shipbuilding industry and repair and maintenance sector through Dubai Maritime City and Jadaf Dubai.

Drydocks World, in 2011, received approximately 300 vessels of various types and sizes including 8550 crew and 174,709 external visitors contributing to the tourism and trade. Buamim said that the Group has developed regulations for operational excellence, security, safety and environment, which helps develop international laws and norms.

Drydocks World has repaired 28 vessels in 2011. The company has signed a long term Strategic Alliance Agreement with one of Japan’s leading ship owning companies, NYK. The company has received several VLCCs from leading Japanese companies and has also been addressing the gas carrier market with technical support and workshop capabilities. The company is keen on building strategic partnerships with Japanese companies in Engineering related aspects, especially module- building for FPSO and FSO conversion projects.