Damen Shipyards has completed an extensive maintenance programme on the Royal Navy of Oman’s sail training vessel Shabab Oman II. The work provides the tall ship with a series of upgrades and prepares it for its duties in the coming decade.
Sending a team from its UAE-based service hub to Oman, Damen executed a full refit of technical spares, renewal of standing rigging and three generators, as well as overhaul and maintenance of all critical systems on board on the Shabab Oman II. This included work to the vessel’s propulsion line, bilge, firefighting equipment, cooling water and power generation systems.
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Long-term relationship
The Ministry of Defence of Oman selected Damen to perform the work scope based on the good relationship that exists between the Ministry and the Royal Navy of Oman and Damen. Previously, Damen has provided the Shabab Oman II with its initial spare parts package, warranty support, woodwork maintenance, rigging maintenance and the replacement of a chilled water unit.
Luca Lietaert, Service Hub Manager of Damen Services Middle East: ‘We were delighted to welcome the Shabab Oman II back to Damen and very grateful to the Ministry of Defence of Oman for their continued trust. This graceful and iconic vessel performs a crucial role, facilitating training and education that helps people to get the best from themselves and their careers. We are proud to be able to support this important work.’
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On tour
Damen delivered the Shabab Oman II to the navy in 2014. The vessel was built at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, before being towed to Vlissingen in the Netherlands for outfitting. In addition to its role as a training vessel to various departments within the Ministry of Defence, the vessel is used for educational purposes for students from universities all the world.
The Shabab Oman II also takes parts in sail racing events, such as Kiel Week in Germany, as well as representing Oman at sailing festivals. Upon completion of the maintenance programme at Damen Services Middle East, the vessel embarked upon a tour that will see it call at fourteen different countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, participating in a race.
It will also take part in this year’s Sail Amsterdam in the Netherlands, of which Damen is a supporting partner. The event will take place between 20th and 24th August. Shabab Oman II will return to Oman at the end of October 2025.
Pictures by Damen.
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