Nakilat to Build 11 Workboats for Qatar’s New Port Project

Doha, December 21 (QNA) - Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has signed an agreement with Qatars New Port Project (NPP) to construct 11 workboats for use at the port. Minister of Energy and Industry, HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, and Minister of Transport, HE Jassim bin Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti witnessed the signing ceremony between NDSQ and NPP, on Wednesday, 17th December 2014. NDSQ will build four 29m-long Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug boats, three 16m-long mooring boats and four15m-long glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pilot boats. The 11 vessels will be built entirely at Qatars Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan for delivery in 2016. The vessels will be engaged in service at NPP performing a variety of marine support services to vessels visiting the port. HE Dr. Al Sada said: "This agreement is a landmark in the continued growth of the State of Qatars marine infrastructure and industry. By collaborating with NPP on providing the required vessels to the New Port, Nakilat and Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard are further enhancing Qatars position as a leader in ship construction." HE Al Sulaiti said: "The cooperation between Nakilat and the NPP is an excellent example of how local organizations are working together to support the development and growth of our local economy. We are extremely proud that the New Ports workboats will be built at our countrys own state-of-the-art shipyard facilities." The Minister of Transport confirmed that this agreement comes in line with the directives of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani,and reflects the full support of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al -Thani, to ensure that the domestic sector will have the largest share in implementing the economic development projects. It is noteworthy that the new Doha port is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Qatar, located on 26 square kilometers along the main port centers, with a cost around 27 billion riyals, The new port consists of a container terminal, general cargo berth, imported cars, imported cattle and grain , and support vessels station, coastguard vessels station and marine support unit and support ships. (QNA)