NDSQ delivers eleventh Qatar-built boat for Milaha
Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has delivered the 32m-long tug Semesma to Milaha. The tug is the eleventh vessel built in Qatar by NDSQ to be utilized by Milaha at the Port of Mesaieed, the company said in its press release.
Semesma is part of a 19-vessel order for Milaha that NDSQ is completing at its facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan. Prior to the delivery of Semesma, NDSQ had delivered to Milaha three 28m-long Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs, each with a 55-ton bollard pull; one service boat capable of speeds up to 20 knots; and six 10-ton mooring / tug boats, all built in the State of Qatar.
ASD tug Semesma has a bollard pull of 80 tons and will be used for escorting vessels visiting the Port of Mesaieed. Semesma is 32m long with a beam of 13m and has been equipped for offshore towing, firefighting and pollution control.
Upon the occasion of Semesma’s delivery HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Milaha Chairman and Managing Director said: “Milaha is proud to have partnered with QP, Nakilat and NDSQ on this 19-vessel order. The ongoing expansion of the State of Qatar’s ports infrastructure and services is vital to the country’s economic growth, and there is a need to modernize the fleet and enhance service levels to support this expansion. These additions to our harbor fleet reflect Milaha’s commitment to play an important role in the development of the State of Qatar’s ports and transport sector.”
Eng. Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Managing Director of Nakilat and Chairman of NDSQ commented: “We are delighted at the progress of the 19-vessel order for Milaha and at the strong growth of the State of Qatar’s shipbuilding industry.
Upon reaching this important milestone, I would like to express our deep gratitude to HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and to HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of the State of Qatar, for the vision that has been the driving force of the development of the State of Qatar’s world-class shipyard.
“I also extend our thanks to HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of QP and of Nakilat, for his unwavering support of NDSQ, Nakilat and of the Qatari marine industry. In addition we appreciate the excellent guidance of Nakilat’s Board of Directors. We are also grateful towards QP’s Technical Group and to Ras Laffan Industrial City for their valuable assistance throughout Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard’s activities and development.”
NDSQ is a joint venture between Nakilat and Dutch shipbuilder Damen and is based at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in the Port of Ras Laffan, the State of Qatar. NDSQ began operations in 2010 and builds ships in steel, aluminum and fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), up to 170m in length.
Nakilat is a Qatari marine company providing the essential transportation link in the State of Qatar’s LNG supply chain. Its LNG shipping fleet is the largest in the world, comprising 58 LNG vessels. Nakilat also manages and operates four LPG carriers. Via two strategic joint ventures, Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) and NDSQ, Nakilat operates the ship repair and construction facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard.
Milaha was established in July 1957 as the first public shareholding company registered in the State of Qatar and holds commercial registration no. 1. Milaha’s current activities include marine transportation in gas, petroleum products, containers and bulk; offshore support services; port management and operations; logistics services; shipyard; trading agencies; real estate investments; and asset management. The legal entity, Qatar Navigation Q.S.C. (QNNS), is publicly listed on the Qatar Exchange.