From left, Bram Langeveld (Sales Director Middle East, Damen Shipyards Gorinchem), René H. Berkvens (Chief Executive Officer, Damen Shipyards Group), Pascal Slingerland (Sales Manager Middle East, Damen Shipyards Gorinchem), Mazin Yousif (Managing Director, Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping L.L.C.), Lionel Ferreira (Commercial & Chartering Manager, Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping L.L.C.) (photo: Damen)

At this year’s Seatrade Maritime Middle East Exhibition taking place in Dubai, Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping LLC (JAK) signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for the supply of three vessels; one Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 5009 and two ASD Tugs 3213.

JAK provides specialist services to the offshore oil and gas sector in the Gulf, delivering logistical support including oil terminal support services, towage and salvage, together with other integrated offshore solutions. Its current fleet is comprised of vessels including anchor handling tugs, support vessels jack up barges, emergency oil spill response vessel, crew boats, heavy lift crane vessel and flat top barges. These include existing Damen tugs the Jawar Basra, an ASD 3213, with 8000 HP, delivered in 2015, and the Jawar Dubai, a Stan Tug 2909 purchased in 2009.

The 53-metre FCS 5009 is to be built at Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey and to be named the Jawar Abu Dhabi, she is due for delivery in early 2017. The flagship of Damen’s Fast Crew Supplier range, the FCS 5009 has a top speed of 25 knots and can carry up to 80 passengers. 240m² of deck space is available for equipment and other cargo.

The twin ASD Tugs 3213 are to be named the Jawar Faw and Jawar Um Qasr respectively and are being constructed at Damen Shipyards Song Cam in Vietnam. A respected and highly capable design, the ASD 3213 is 32 metres in length, has 8000 HP and with 85 tonnes of bollard pull it is dedicated to handle VLCC tankers at offshore terminals. Both ASD 3213 are under construction and ready to be delivered after commissioning.

JAK operates the fleet of tugs and support vessels that support the Al Basra (ABOT) and Khor Al Amaya ( KAAOT ) oil terminals that, between them, handle more than 90% of Iraq’s crude oil exports. It is JAK’s responsibility to keep the terminals operable in all weather conditions, and high winds occur frequently in the area south east of the Faw Peninsular. Only powerful tugs like the ASD 3213 can ensure an uninterrupted service manoeuvring the VLCCs that arrive at the terminals to take on crude oil. Both facilities are planning to expand their capabilities in the years ahead as Iraq increases its oil output.

“The acquisition of these new vessels reaffirms Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping LLC’s fullest commitment, confidence and determination to continue supporting the offshore oil and gas industry in the forthcoming years,” states Eng. Baydaq Al Jazaeri, Chairman of Jawar Al Khaleej, “Damen produces some of the best vessels in the world for these kinds of operations. They are technically sophisticated and the quality is very good. The reliability is also excellent, with the servicing and maintenance ensuring that everything goes smoothly.”

Tags: Damen Shipyards Group, Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping LLC