ADPC takes delivery of new tugs for Khalifa Port
Following a great milestone last September 2011, when Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) held its keel laying ceremony for the two escort tugboats, today it witnessed the arrival of its first brand new batch of tug boats for Khalifa Port, ADPC press release said.
The ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the new tug boats for Khalifa Port followed the previous commemoration of the keel laying ceremony for two new 32 metre escort tugboats. Stakeholders including DOT, Customs, Irshad, and Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), Grandweld were invited to the ceremony. The celebration held a multiple of events including a speech by Captain Mohamed Al-Shamisi, Executive Vice President of Ports Operations for (ADPC) followed by a speech by Jamal Abki General Manager Grandweld, signing ceremony, ribbon-cutting at the quay wall, along with an Iftar.
Captain Al-Shamisi commented:
“ADPC could not be prouder that we have yet again reached another milestone. We share this pride with our ADPC Stakeholders & customers and we are dedicated to providing them the highest quality of services. We are very excited that our first brand new tugboats for Khalifa Port have finally arrived as they are especially designed to handle the world class infrastructure port project”.
The tugboats were built by Grandweld, an internationally recognized company that specializes in ship building, ship repair, and conversion of offshore vessels and has earned a first-class reputation for high building standards, timely delivery, and round the clock operation.
Jamal Abki General Manager of Grandweld commented;
“We thank Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) for giving us the opportunity to build their first escort tugs for Khalifa Port. We at Grandweld understood the requirement of ADPC for high standard and top quality tugs. Therefore, these tugs were built to the most advanced design and fitted with the highest quality equipments that will ensure reliability and mission readiness for heavy duty operations at the Port.
We are proud to advise that both, Al Fenci and Al Durrah have successfully passed stringent testing requirements during extensive sea trials that was attended and certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS Class). Both vessels over performed on speed and bollard pull, which categorize the capabilities and value of the tugs.”
The new Khalifa Port will be the most technologically advanced within the region, with a semi-automated container handling facility and a wide range of productivity enhancing processes. It will have an initial annual capacity of 2 million and a half containers and 12 million tons of cargo. Dredged to receive the largest ships, it can grow in phases in line with Abu Dhabi’s economic growth.
