Abu Dhabi Ports and Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) have signed a long-term contract to establish a ship repair facility that will also include a ‘floating dock’ capability within the Zayed Port.

Abu Dhabi Ports is the master developer, operator and manager of ports and the Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Established to support the UAE Navy, ADSB specialises in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels.

The agreement was signed at Abu Dhabi Ports Head Office at Zayed Port by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports and Dr Khaled Al Mazrouei, chief executive officer of ADSB, along with a senior delegation representing both parties, said a statement from the company.

This latest synergy between Abu Dhabi Ports and ADSB is an excellent example of such partnerships - both parties will comply with several guidelines to advance operations and conveniences at Zayed Port. Phase 1 operating features include developing and operating a dedicated berth of 430 linear metres of quay wall and over 12,000 sq m of dedicated yard facilities, it added.

Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “In line with the UAE leadership’s vision to achieve the diversification of the national economy, our agreement with Abu Dhabi Ship Building to establish a ship repair facility and floating dock capability will play a key role in boosting the trade and maritime industry in Abu Dhabi and enhance the contribution of the sector to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP).”

Al Mazrouei said: “We are proud to sign this agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports that aims to strengthen our long term partnership between the two companies and cement the joint relationship.”

“The operational expansion of our organisation through the new floating dry dock in Zayed Port reflects the positive growth seen in the UAE ship building and repair sector. It is also a testament of the effective strategy we have adopted to provide the most innovative MRO services to our customers regionally and internationally,” he said.

“The new area includes ship workshops as well as the floating dry dock that will transform our capabilities to a new era of growth as it aspires to expand its commercial services,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service