Dubai Drydocks has become the only repair facility in the Middle East to gain American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification for four welding procedures used in the repair and cladding of tail, stern tube and line shafts, and rudder stocks and pintles.The process, begun in July 1998, culminated in four welding procedures being conducted in both submerged arc and shielded metal arc welding, with all stages of repair and cladding being witnessed by an ABS surveyor. The facility, which employs 4,000, has serviced 202 vessels ranging from ULCCs (ultra-large crude carriers) to cargo and other vessels.