Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) is halfway through receiving all its new vessels for this year and a step closer in achieving all its targets for 2009, following the delivery of another new vessel named Gulf Rastaq.

Gem is the Middle East's largest independent commercial product tanker operator.

Built by Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), Gulf Rastaq becomes GEM’s 14th vessel overall, and the fourth IMO II-N2 type 47,000 dwt tanker in its fast-growing fleet.

“Having received three out of six new vessels scheduled for delivery this year, this certainly is indicative of how GEM is committed on achieving all its targets for the year,” said Ahmed Essa Hareb Al Falahi, chief executive officer of GEM.

"At the same time, the delivery of Gulf Rastaq is an indication of how HMD has been doing a great job of meeting our targets that allow us to provide the market with safe, reliable and environment-conscious vessels," he remarked.

“GEM remains steadfast in being consistent with the highest standards of safety and quality for the benefit, not just of our customers, but also of the environment and our staff,” he added.

Following the delivery in March 2009 of Gulf Castle, the first-ever 75,000 dwt product oil carrier built by HMD and the fifth such type of vessel in GEM’s fleet, the remaining three vessels scheduled for delivery to GEM by HMD this year are of the same type.

In addition, GEM also has on order two Aframax vessels from Samsung Heavy Industries with a capacity of 114,700 dwt each are of Large Range 2 (LR2) specification – capable of carrying both clean petroleum products and dirty products such as crude and fuel oil, and scheduled for delivery in 2011.

GEM’s adherence to safety, quality and security has been acknowledged and recognized by the shipping fraternity through the three awards it received in 2008 alone.

Lloyd’s Middle East Shipping Awards bestowed the company with the Tanker Company of the Year award as well as in the Clean Seas category, while Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards awarded GEM in the Safety and Quality category.

GEM is certified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance to the ISO 9001-2000 Quality Management System and ISO 14001-2004 Environment Management System for the operational and technical management of its fleet.-TradeArabia News Service