Good start to year as ASRY inaugurates new facility

This follows hot on the heels of the official opening of the yard’s new 1.38km repair quay wall in mid-December last, marking the completion of the company’s $188million facilities expansion programme. Since starting life in October 1977 as the Middle East’s first shipyard designed specifically for the repair of VLCCs, it has constantly grown. Today, ASRY’s original 500,000dwt capacity graving dock is complemented by two floating docks capable of accommodating vessels up to 80,000dwt and 120,000dwt respectively, two of the largest slipways in the region and 15 repair berths, all backed-up by a comprehensive array of workshops and technical services.

Arab owners have been to the fore in the early part of the year with vessels from owners and managers in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia undergoing repair. The work included the drydocking of Mideast Ship Management’s 317,788dwt tanker Wafrah in the yard’s No1 Dock. Also visiting this dock during January was Red Sea Marine Services’ 95,628dwt tanker Al Anbariah, while Kuwait Oil Tanker’s 49,880dwt LPG carrier Gas Al Gurain underwent repairs in Floating Dock No2.

International visitors during the early part of 2012 included vessels from Norway and the USA. From Norway ASRY repaired the 54,800dwt LPG carrier BW Boss, operated by BW Fleet Management and carried out alongside repairs to the Odfjell-owned 33,000dwt chemical tanker Bow Victor. Once again US owners have been well represented at the Bahrain yard. An unusual visitor from the US in mid-January was the heavy lift vessel Ocean Charger. This 8,034dwt vessel, owned by New Orleans-based Pacific Gulf Maritime, docked for ‘fast track’ stern seal repairs. The vessel was on a voyage from Houston to Bahrain with a deck cargo of two 35m fast patrol vessels for the new Iraqi Navy.

Maersk Line is a regular customer at ASRY, having drydocked nine containerships during 2011. The beginning of 2012 saw the arrival of the 47,047dwt product tanker Maersk Michigan for alongside repairs.