Bahrain-based Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry) is pushing ahead with its $188 million planned expansion programme.

The focal point of Asry's latest expansion plans is its new 1.38 km repair quay wall, which is being built by local company Nass Contracting under a $80 million contract from the shipyard.

This contract calls for the construction of a 1,200-metre quay wall, with an alongside water depth of 12 metres, designed for the berthing of vessels up to 300,000 dwt, as well as a 180 metre return quay for the repair of vessels up to 40,000 dwt.

'As of August 27, 1,068 pre-cast blocks had been produced and 830 installed,' said Asry chief executive officer Chris Potter.

'As of today, approximately 200 metres of the quay wall block structure has broken the water surface, while backfilling work and pre-loading of block stacks commenced in July,' he added.

'The first 400 metre section of the new repair quay wall is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with work on the full 1,200-metre quay wall and 180-metre return quay expected to finish at the end of 2011,' Potter added. – TradeArabia News Service