Damen in new joint venture Qatar shipyard
Damen Shipyards Qatar Holding B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Damen Shipyards Group, has signed a joint venture agreement with Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat) to jointly operate a shipbuilding facility in the Port of Ras Laffan, Qatar.
This agreement provides a significant partnership between the world’s leading transporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and a global leader in shipbuilding.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad ٍِAl-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nakilat said, ‘Our vision is for the new shipyard to become a centre of excellence for the construction of all types of vessels [up to 120m in length] that are required to secure and support the development and growth of Qatar’s oil and gas industry and its expanding marine industries sector. Damen is a world leader with the proven expertise to assist Nakilat in achieving this vision.’
Mr. Kommer Damen, Chairman of the Board of the Damen Shipyards Group added, ‘Damen is honored to be selected as Nakilat’s strategic partner for the management and operation of this world class facility. We are confident that Nakilat and Damen can, together, make Qatar a global force in specialist ship construction.’
Nakilat and Damen have agreed to form a 70/30 joint venture company (JVC) to manage the operation of the 15 hectare shipyard which has been built on reclaimed land in the expanded Port of Ras Laffan. The name of the JVC is Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar, Limited.
The ship construction facility is scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of this year. The facility is capable of building vessels with a length overall of up to 120m and has been designed to produce a wide variety of vessels, including commercial vessels such as tugs, offshore supply vessels, coastal tankers, and ferries; naval and coast guard vessels; and custom and semi-custom luxury yachts built in steel and aluminum.
The new facility includes a construction hall which is 270m long, 65m wide and 40m high in which four 120m long vessels can be constructed simultaneously. Supporting facilities also include fabrication, pipe working, and mechanical & electrical shops which utilize the latest process technologies, to ensure world class quality, delivery and productivity.
|
