Zakum Development Company’s (Zadco) Bravo became the first oil loading terminal to be classed in the Middle East after DNV handed over the Full Term Classification Certificate to the company.

Bravo is a single point mooring oil loading terminal, which will be offloading crude oil from the Zirku field, some 140 km north west of Abu Dhabi. The buoy of 2.5 m diameter and 4.8 m depth with the Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (Calm) system can handle up to ultra-large shuttle tankers. The oil terminal is designed for 25 years of continuous in-water service and 5 m overtopping hydrostatic load above the hull top deck.
As the classification society, DNV ensured that the class requirements were complied with for all the significant elements in this project such as subsea hose, buoy, floating hoses, the mooring system, and mooring hawser system. DNV performed the class work covering the design, fabrication, and offshore installation.
Sirajudeen Thettail, DNV’s project manager and head of the Qualification & Verification section in Abu Dhabi, remarked: “We are proud of the trust Zadco has in DNV by choosing us as the technical service provider in addition to the class society role for their oil terminals in the UAE.”
 
Zadco Alpha
Thettail said that in addition to Zadco Bravo, Zadco Alpha was currently under classification process. The fabrication of the new buoy, which is replacing an existing one, is completed and will be installed soon, just a few kilometers away from Zadco Bravo.
Zadco’s engineering and projects department team’s leader Seddiq Khouri said Zadco chose to class the loading terminal in order to ensure that the SPM buoys were designed, fabricated and installed in accordance with a highly recognised international standard. This would avoid future debates during operation and tankers loading. Class certification would also control the periodical inspection of the terminal and hence enhance the integrity and maintenance of the buoy.
Zadco chose DNV as it was one of the recognised and approved certifying authorities with proven marine experience, he said.
“DNV’s early involvement in the annual inspection of our old loading terminals and the pre-contract services provided in preparation of the business case for replacement of the buoy has supported the decision.”
Zadco was formed in the late 1970s to develop and operate the Upper Zakum field.