Newbuilds For Nakilat – Damen Shipyards Qatar
Nakilat – as agents for Nakilat – Damen Shipyards Qatar (N-DSQ) – has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) for the construction and delivery of six naval patrol boats, and, on behalf of N-DSQ, a MoU with Qatar Petroleum for the provision of 19 vessels at the port of Mesaieed. All will be build at N-DSQ in the Port of Ras Laffan, Qatar.
The military vessels will be used by the QENF to support its existing operations in the monitoring and surveillance of Qatar’s Economic Exclusive Zone, for coastal and offshore patrolling, search and seizure operations, and for anti piracy/hijacking operations. The Qatar Emiri Naval Force’s Staff Brigadier (Sea) Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Mohannadi said, “This MoU with Nakilat-Damen Shipyards Qatar is a significant step forward in the ongoing development of the Emiri Naval Forces, and provides the equipment consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the QENF to protect Qatar’s national interests.”
Nakilat’s Managing Director, Muhammad Ghannam, said, “The N-DSQ MoU agreement with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for the supply of patrol vessels is a significant event for N-DSQ. It also affirms the realization of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s vision for a world-class shipyard to serve the country’s continuous requirements for costal patrol and marine defence. The signing of this MoU demonstrates the strategic value of a premier shipyard facility in Qatar to meet the needs of the Ministry of Defense and the Emiri Naval Forces.”
Concerning the MoU with Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Petroleum’s Directorate, Mesaieed Industrial City, issued a tender on October 15 2009, for the provision of harbour tugs, pilot and service boats at Mesaieed Port. Subject to the outcome of the tender, the successful bidder will be obliged to build all the vessels required for the contract at the N-DSQ facilities at the Port of Ras Laffan.
Mesaieed Industrial City’s Acting Director Mr. Maliq Omer Ismail Al-Dafea said, “This MoU with Nakilat-Damen Shipyards Qatar will provide the Port of Mesaieed with essential high quality vessels, with the further benefit of realizing H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s vision to build these vessels in Qatar at its new marine industrial area”.
Nakilat’s Managing Director, Muhammad Ghannam said, “The MoU with Qatar Petroleum for the construction of harbor tugs, pilot and service boats and other equipment is an historic milestone for N-DSQ. It is a large contract that will supply a variety of vessels of different types and sizes at the new ‘purpose built’ shipyard that is ideally suited to this type of construction. This contract is also consistent with the implementation of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s vision to expand and develop Qatar’s industrial base by creating a new marine industries and services sector”.