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Under the contract, Austal will provide rapid response to technical issues related to three large Austal vehicle ferries, including spare parts supply, for a period of up to five years. Austal Chief Operating Officer Andrew Bellamy commented; “Strategically this is another important step in growing Austal’s presence in the Middle East region.” “With similar contracts also in place in Oman, Egypt, Malta and Trinidad and Tobago, Austal’s continues to establish itself as a major provider of worldwide vessel maintenance and management.” The three vessels include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s two 69 metre vehicle ferries “Jazan” and “Farasan”, delivered in 2009, and 56 metre vehicle ferry “Fares 1”, delivered in 2002. With the capacity to carry 650 passengers, 50 cars and 15 trucks, “Jazan” and “Farasan” were part of a group of four Austal vehicle-passenger ferries ordered by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance in 2007. The 88 metre “Riyadh” and “Cairo” were delivered to Saudi Arabia in December 2008 and later gifted to the Egyptian Government to improve ferry services across the Red Sea. Austal personnel recently completed the annual docking of the two 69 metre vessels, which was performed at Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Shipyard. The docking included vessel modifications and preventative maintenance. Austal is also responsible for the maintenance and technical management of Egypt’s two 69 metre vessels. Earlier this year Austal announced a vessel maintenance services contract with Oman’s National Ferries Company (NFC) for the maintenance of seven large high speed craft, including two Oman Coast Guard rescue boats. Notably, five of these vessels were built at other shipyards. Meanwhile in Trinidad and Tobago, Austal Service has commenced its five year comprehensive maintenance and support services program for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s six new 30m fast patrol craft. The program includes scheduled planned and preventative maintenance support, unscheduled maintenance, management and performance of annual surveys and maintenance periods as well as shore-based engineering support. Austal press release |