Nico International, one of Dubai’s most prominent ship repair companies, has unveiled its new corporate identity during a gala dinner at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The glittering occasion was the pinnacle of what has been a remarkable year of achievement for Nico, successfully extending its global presence as well expanding its capabilities in terms of technology and diversification.
Fazel Fazelbuoy, General Manager, Nico International, commented, “We have every right to feel proud of our achievements this year. Our headcount has grown to 1,200 personnel, we’ve executed two million productive man-hours, established five new companies in three different countries, employed over 25 different nationalities, started several new lines of businesses and now we have revitalised our image to complement our enhanced market position without compromising our reputation for traditional service quality.”
A series of new logos have been created that inherently retain all of the elements associated with its 33 year old heritage whilst achieving a contemporary look and feel. These designs demonstrate the fact that Nico serves several niche markets and retains an integrated quality management system that commits to the highest standards of excellence in all of our areas of expertise.
In order to maintain the high quality standards that are synonymous with the Nico brand, they have set up a manpower training division under the joint auspices of the HSEQ and HR departments. Nico is well underway towards adding to its
ISO 9002 certification the coveted OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) and the ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certifications) both of which should be implemented before the year end.
“Human capital is our most valuable asset, our objectives are to train all inductees and provide an ongoing training program to ensure continuous improvement in all aspects of our business,” added Fazelbuoy.
To illustrate their investment in human resources, Nico recently inaugurated their new staff facilities in Al Quoz, Dubai. The building appropriately shaped like a ship, features a canteen, showers and changing rooms for Dubai-based staff out of its 1,200 strong work force.
In terms of technology, Nico International Hydrospace has developed substantially in the Port of Fujairah turning its 12,000 square metre property into a fully integrated electro mechanical workshop with extensive steel fabrication capabilities. Nico has also added a fuel shop and a new governor shop, fabricating over 15,000 tons of steel for various local infrastructure projects.
The Nico Mitsui Babcock Joint Venture (Boiler Division) has also enjoyed an extraordinary year, with four consecutive LNGC boiler upgrading and retro fits of the super heater tubes. In addition they have also carried out eighteen boiler condition assessments and maintenance projects on LNGC vessels, at various locations in Dubai, Singapore, France and Portugal, representing approximately ten per cent of the world’s fleet of LNGC ships.
Nico is also undertaking the first ever regional five-year refit of a Corvette, as a subcontractor to Damen Corporation’s Schelde Naval Shipyard. This multi-million dollar project is a first in the region and involves all aspects of a refit including accommodation work, mechanical overhauling, steel work, electrical & automation services as well as blasting and painting of the entire vessel.
In a move to diversify their business interests, Nico has launched a new company called NicoCraft, the premier aluminum catamaran boat manufacturer in the Middle East. With a custom-built 1,200 square metre workshop, the manufacturing process is based on CNC based water jet cutting technology. The first twenty metre dive support vessel is under construction and orders have been received for a thirty metre crew boat, with firm options for two more within the next six months. These will be the first catamaran crew boats to be based in the Port of Fujairah.
To cater to their growing industrial fabrication business, Nico has bought a 29,000 square metre plot of industrial land in Fujairah that will focus on large steel works to support the growing on-shore tank farm business in the UAE. As the single hull ban will extend to FSO’s in the near future, this aspect of industrial fabrication complements the growing marine bunkering industry.
Geographically, Nico has expanded into the Caspian Sea region, setting up two new businesses. In Baku, Nico International Azerbaijan now serves the regional maritime community including major clients such as BP, Maersk, BUE Caspian and McDermott’s.
Nico International Kazakhstan offers a full range of maritime services including complete engine overhauls, mechanical, electrical and steel work services. In a joint venture with Caspian Services Incorporated and Kazmortransflot (KMTF), the National Marine Company of Kazakhstan, Nico are developing a comprehensive boat repair facility in Bautino including dry docking.
Within the Port of Salalah, Nico has set up a mechanical workshop through a new subsidiary, Nico International Oman and to cater to the growing dive support services in Khor Fakkan harbour, Nico International Sharjah has been established to facilitate Nico’s offshore operations on the East Coast at Khor Fakkan and Kalba.
