UAE: N-KOM Finishes Qatar’s First LNG Drydocking Project

Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (N-KOM) has completed the special survey works on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, Simaisma, safely and on-time. This is the first LNG carrier to be drydocked in Qatar, and the first vessel to be drydocked at the newly launched Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard, N-KOM drydocks, a world-class shipyard facility in the Port of Ras Laffan.

N-KOM employees were awarded a delivery bonus from Maran Gas Maritime, the manager and operator of Simaisma, in appreciation of the safe, on time delivery, quality and successful turnaround of this project.

Mr. Andreas Spertos, Technical Director of Maran Gas Maritime, said, “I am very pleased with N-KOM’s performance. This Simaisma project demonstrates N-KOM’s strong operational capabilities, and I am confident that they will continue to deliver value-added services to their customers.”

Mr. Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, CEO of N-KOM, said, “We have been ramping up operations and taking in projects since N-KOM’s inauguration late last year. With the VLCC-size drydocks now on-line, we are ready to help maintain and repair the fleet of our regional and international customers.”

Mr. Ivan Lim, Assistant General Manager (Operations) of N-KOM, added, “The strong teamwork between Maran Gas Maritime and N-KOM has underpinned the smooth progress of the Simaisma project. We appreciate Maran Gas Maritime’s confidence in N-KOM, and look forward to a growing partnership with them.”

Chartered by RasGas, the second largest LNG producer in the world, Simaisma arrived at N-KOM on 29 March 2011, and was docked for 20 days.

About Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine

Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) is a 43-hectare world-class shipyard facility jointly developed by Nakilat (80%) the world’s leading transporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and Keppel Offshore & Marine (20%), the global leader in offshore rig design and construction, ship repair and conversion, and specialised shipbuilding.

Located at the north-eastern tip of Qatar within the Ras Laffan Industrial City and close to the LNG terminals and the Ras Laffan Port, N-KOM boasts some of the most technologically advanced equipment for increased efficiency, quality and safety. The yard is designed with optimal flexibility to undertake the entire spectrum of repair, conversion and construction for a wide range of marine and offshore vessels and structures.

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Source: Nakilat, May 5, 2011.