Bahri, a Saudi-based logistics and transportation company, has announced the signing of an agreement with International Maritime Industries (IMI) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build new oil tankers.
As part of the agreement, Bahri is committed to issuing IMI its first order for the very large crude-oil carriers (VLCCs) before the end of July.
Following the placing of the order, IMI will engage HHI as a sub-contractor to build the vessel in South Korea.
HHI, in turn, will help facilitate the transfer of knowledge enabling IMI to independently build VLCCs to international shipbuilding standards in Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri, said: “Committed to playing a pivotal role in the transformation of the kingdom into an important regional and global logistics and transportation hub, Bahri has been exploring new horizons for industry cooperation to take its vision forward.
“This agreement, which further strengthens our strong strategic relationship with IMI and HHI, signifies a major development in this direction, and we are confident it will provide a boost to our ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing our offerings and bolstering our capabilities. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will immensely benefit our customers and shareholders.”
Fathi K Al-Saleem, CEO of IMI, added: “This agreement further strengthens the business relationship between IMI and its shareholders, as well as contributing to the development of a localized maritime industry supply chain infrastructure, technical expertise for Saudi nationals, and a track record in shipbuilding.”
International Maritime Industries is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, Bahri, Lamprell, and Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Located in the King Salman Complex for International Maritime Industries and Services at Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia, IMI is tipped to be the largest, full-service maritime facility in the Middle East and North Africa.
With a capacity to manufacture four offshore rigs, over 40 vessels including three VLCCs, and service over 260 maritime products on an annual basis, the facility aims to propel growth in the kingdom’s logistics and transportation sector.
Major production operations are expected to commence toward the end of 2020 with the facility reaching its full production capacity by 2022.
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