Abu Dhabi: Ship Building launches second 42m Landing Craft for Royal Bahrain Naval Force
Delivery is last for major two-year, four-vessel defense contract
Dubai Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a builder specialising in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels, yesterday launched Al Hamra — a 42-metre landing craft for the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.
The delivery is the last under a four-vessel contract won by ADSB in 2008 amid tight competition from other international shipyards.
ADSB has delivered two 16-metre fast landing craft and two 42-metre landing craft for the Bahrain navy, all built at its dock in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. This project affirms the shipbuilder's ability to build high quality naval ships at competitive prices.
Composite facility
The 16-metre units were delivered in late 2009 and can rapidly deploy personnel and supplies. They were manufactured at ADSB's state-of-the-art composite facility and can reach speeds of over 35 knots when travelling light or 25 knots when carrying a payload of six tonnes. The 42-metre craft are based on vessels serving the UAE Navy and are designed for troop, vehicle and cargo transport with beach deployment capability. The first one was delivered in early 2010 ahead of schedule.
"Today's launching of this second 42-metre vessel is yet another major step forward in our growth as a preferred supplier and service provider for the GCC's maritime military markets," said Mohammad Salem Al Junaibi, acting Chief Executive Officer, ADSB. "This has been a very fulfilling project for us and we are proud to have provided excellent high-quality, mission-capable vessels to a very important customer. Once again we have shown how we can deliver world-class vessels that exceed the technical and quality requirements of our clients on time.
"It is highly productive to engage a customer that works closely with you on a project such as this. The convenient geographical location and shared understanding on the construction of an excellent vessel has ensured advanced delivery. This partnership clearly demonstrates how the ability to build world-class vessels at competitive prices ... is becoming the preferred choice of the region's market," added Al Junaibi.
