Arabian Gulf service contract for Aussie shipbuilder

The contract requires Austal to deliver vessel maintenance services for NFC’s five high speed ferries

and

two Oman Coast Guard rescue boats, co-managed by NFC, for a period of up to five years. Work will be performed by Austal at various regional ports within the Sultanate of Oman, including the capital city, Muscat.

Austal’s service presence in the Middle East now includes hubs for the Red Sea (Egypt)

and

the Arabian Gulf (Oman), with a regional office in the UAE to open in coming months.

Austal general manager – service, Chris Pemberton, said the contract highlighted Austal’s growing vessel maintenance

and

technical management offering.

“With experience from more than 200 vessel deliveries worldwide, Austal Service offers practical expertise

and

professional advice on all aspects of ongoing vessel repair, maintenance

and

through life support (TLS),” Pemberton said. Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive international tender process. Among the vessels covered by the contract are Austal-built 65m high speed vehicle ferries

Shinas

and

Hormuz

which were delivered to the Sultanate of Oman in 2008.

Austal currently has similar vessel maintenance contracts underway in countries including Trinidad

and

Tobago

and

Egypt.