Topaz Energy & Marine SAOG (TEAM), a Middle East marine and energy related services provider and manufacturer, announced the successful completion of the removal and re-sinking of the wreck Raysut Cement 1, which sank in Salalah Port on April 10, 2000, while loading her cargo of cement powder. The sunken cement carrier was a potential hazard to boats in the port and has been a financial burden to Port Salalah as berth No. 23 has been closed since the incident.
TEAM, a contractor in salvage and wreck removal, raised the 67-meter cement carrier, which weighed approximately 3,000 tones at the time of its sinking. “We completed this contract worth roughly a million US dollars, within 72 days. We are delighted to have raised and re-sunk this vessel ahead of schedule and within budget, allowing for the berth at Salalah Port to be re-opened,” F.A. Fazelbhoy, Business Development general manager of TEAM said.
TEAM used one of its specialist salvage boats on site, the Al-Wasmi, to provide the power generators and general workshop facilities. For the protection of the environment, an oil boom was placed around the work site to contain oil spillage. A specialist team of five divers worked underwater welding over 75 blanking plates and plugs to seal off leakages. In addition, the 50-man Project group consisted of a mix of TEAM skilled workers and locally employed labor.
Jackhammers were used to chip away at the hardened cement in the ship's hold, as it lay port side down on the harbor bed. Over 900 tones of cement, waste fluids and residual fuel were cleaned and removed from the Raysut Cement 1, all of which was disposed of in full adherence with the strictest international environmental procedures and overseen by the government.
The wreck was raised using natural and air induced buoyancy with 20-ton airbags. The now-buoyant wreck was then towed about five nautical miles, and re-sunk in a pre-determined, government-sanctioned location, where it is intended to be a recreational diving site.
Topaz Energy & Marine SAOG (TEAM), is an Omani listed (Muscat Securities Market) company specialized in the marine and energy related service and manufacturing and through its subsidiary acquisitions has been in operation for over 28 years in the Middle East.
TEAM reported total revenue in financial 2001 of 19.52 million Omani rials ($50.68 million) with net profits of OR1.514 million. While its primary focus remains on the Oil, Gas Energy & Marine sectors of the economy, TEAM is applying its capabilities towards the protection and preservation of the environment. TEAM operates in Dubai, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
