BVT Surface Fleet said it has set up a joint venture in the UAE with Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) to provide naval support services for customers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Egypt and Jordan.

Gulf Logistics and Naval Support (GLNS), will be the first company of its kind in the Arabian Gulf and will offer a range of naval support services across the full spectrum of integrated logistics support and training, said a statement from BVT Surface Fleet.

The announcement follows the MoU signed by BVT Surface Fleet, a maritime joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group, and ADSB on July 20.

Since then, both companies have been working together to develop and finalize the necessary legal documents, prepare financial and operational business plans and form the organizational structure to allow this new company to begin operations immediately with the support of their two shareholders, the statement added.

The new venture will provide outsourcing solutions for base facilities to support the marine fleets of navies, coast guards, marine police, homeland security organizations, special forces and other key commercial customers, said a top official.

“This is a significant strategic move for BVT. Gulf Logistics and Naval Support will greatly enhance our customer base and global footprint. It will combine our outstanding naval support experience with the world-class and complimentary capabilities of ADSB in the Gulf,' remarked BVT chief executive Alan Johnston.

“Together, we provide a high level of expertise to address the growing demand for enhanced through-life naval support from organisations in the region,” Johnston noted.

ADSB’s chief executive officer William Saltzer said the military vessels and the equipment carried on board are complex and sophisticated, requiring a high degree of support.

'GLNS, supported by its shareholders, will provide this support, ensuring the maximum availability of vessels and the efficient operations of their non-core base activities and facilities allowing them to focus their efforts on the important duty of protecting their countries.”

“Combining our in-depth local knowledge and capability with the innovative processes and techniques for naval support developed over many years by BVT, our aim will be to inspire confidence and build relationships so that our customers view us as a long-term strategic asset,” Saltzer added.

GLNS will initially be 70 per cent owned by ADSB and 30 per cent by BVT, with provisions that may allow BVT to increase its holding to 40 per cent in the future, the company statement said.

Both companies are fully committed to the effective transfer of technologies, processes, systems and skills in the field of naval support services to GLNS. It will initially employ approximately 90 people, including secondees from BVT. This number is expected to grow significantly as the business grows, it added.-TradeArabia News Service