Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has received a contract from Qatar’s New Port Project (NPP) to build 11 workboats for use at the port.
Under this project, NDSQ will be responsible for construction of four 29m-long Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug boats, three 16m-long mooring boats and four 15m-long glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pilot boats.
The vessels will be constructed at Qatar’s Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan and the newbuild vessels will be part of NPP to support vessels that visit the port.
Delivery of the vessels is expected to be in 2016.
Qatar Energy and Industry Minister HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said: "This agreement is a landmark in the continued growth of the state of Qatar’s 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 Qatar’s position as a leader in ship construction."
The New Port Project is considered to be the largest port development project in the world to be built on unused land and the estimated cost of the project is $7.4bn.
Covering an area of about 26.5km², the new port includes 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.
It will be capable of handling general cargo, bulk grain, livestock and vehicle traffic.
Image: Officials of NDSQ and NPP during the signing ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.
