Five Oceans Ship Repairing and Marine Services

UAE Shipyard prized for comprehensive and total ship repairs

Long-established Five Oceans Ship Repairing & Marine is committed to meeting the technical needs for reliable and timely ship repairs and operations.

Five Oceans Ship Repairing & Marine Services is a pioneering ship repairs company founded in the Emirate of Sharjah in 1979 by OP Malik, a marine engineer turned entrepreneur to serve the dire and growing needs of merchant and container ships.

According to Malik, there are three subsidiary companies within the wider Group all catering to specific functions. The flagship company is dedicated to the demands of ship repairs and various needs of the shipping companies, whether it is steel renewal, engine room overhaul or fixing deck machinery while afloat and during the voyage.

The second associate company caters to the industrial needs of the region from manufacturing and production for various construction companies.

The third associate company is housed one of the biggest industrial complexes with all kinds of machineries of latest types such as the reconditioning of the main engines and auxiliary engines, exhaust valves by plasma transferred ARC Process. Submerged arc welding, ID welding and other technical processes capabilities.

Five Oceans Ship Repairing & Repairs complies with the criteria, requirements and approvals of multiple classification bodies and regulators including the American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Lloyds Register of Shipping and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai among others.

Furthermore, according to Devrish Malik, Director of Operations and Marketing, another entity, an electrical workshop is fully equipped from rewinding of a small solenoid coil to the rewinding of generator up to 1500 KW capacity DC and AC motors of all types are rewound in shortest possible time with high class of insulation. The motors are flash tested after rewinding. Additionally, a structural Workshop caters for all type of fabrication on offshore, industrial and steel renewal of the vessel. This company also carried out tank cleaning with all latest equipment and gadgets. The company is fully insured against oil pollution in accordance with the MARPOL (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Convention. The company has also built large tanks for water, sludge and oil products and crude oil.

The company also provides sailing squads for various repairs on board in any part of the world as to ensure no loss of voyage time for the vessels.

Global Supply Chain conducted an exclusive interview with OP Malik, Technical Director, Marine Engineer and Founder, Five Oceans Ship Repairing and Marine Services, on a wide range of subjects. The following are the transcripts of that interview.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): You had a long-established career at Shipping Corporation of India when in 1978, you chose to change tack and turn entrepreneur. Fill us in on what happened thereafter?

OP Malik (OPM): In early 1978 I came from Mumbai where I worked with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to the UAE for a ship repair job in Sharjah Port. At that time the Sharjah Port had just been commissioned.

I was keen for SCI to open office in Sharjah as they had then bought big ships which would eventually need repairs. Though SCI was interested in opening an office in Sharjah and commencing operations, they wanted complete ownership, which under the regulations in 1978 was not the case.

I saw an opportunity here for myself to have my own firm and SCI could send their ships to me for repairs. I was confident I had the experience and was at the right age to start something of my own.

GSC: What prompted you to found Five Oceans Ship Repairing Company?

OPM: Whilst in the UAE I also 1978 saw the use of modern technology in cranes operations and streamlines business regulations and less bureaucratic processes. One great advantage at that time was that ships could be completely repaired quickly alongside berthing. I knew then I just had to take the initiative and start my own.

GSC: Why did you pick on the Emirate of Sharjah as the base of your operations?

OPM: Sharjah Port had employees with whom I was acquainted with and just felt more comfortable. The working environment was good.

GSC: What is the scope of the services offered by Five Oceans Ship Repair Company?

OPM: The services we offer are expansive and comprehensive. These include ship surveys and the handling of hull and machinery repair, navigational repair, radio equipment repairs and a whole gamut of other associated and related functions.

GSC: How did you perform in 2022 and what is your outlook going forward in 2023?

OPM: The year 2022 was good and we had adequate business. Going by current trends, 2023 looks promising.

GSC: What are the challenges and opportunities for your business prospects as you look ahead?

OPM: There are opportunities as the market is experiencing growth and country is very business friendly. Every new technology is embraced easily here. The big challenges are payment retrievals, intense competition, and a lack of skilled workers.

GSC: What are your expansion plans for the UAE and the wider GCC for the foreseeable future?

OPM: We are very positive about organic expansion in the UAE and externally possibly Saudi Arabia.

GSC: Highlights some your key accomplishments such as during the IranIraq tanker wars and the Kuwait invasion.

OPM: During the Iran-Iraq tanker war, the resources in Iran were limited and war-hit ships would be repaired minimally for sea worthiness after which it would be sent to UAE for complete and over-all repairs.

During the Kuwait invasion, Passenger ships heading to the country had to be modified to increase accommodation as they were used to transport expatriate workers stuck in this Gulf state.

GSC: What are the USPs and distinctive competitive edge and advantages for Five Oceans Ship Repair Company?

OPM: We are one of the pioneer companies that continues to have a firm footing in the UAE. Adaptation is the key to success, and we embrace change and new technologies.