NDSQ signs 2 MoUs worth QR3.1bn to build 7 vessels for Qatar’s armed forces

Senior officials of NDSQ and the Qatar Armed Forces conclude the QR3.1bn deal to build seven vessels at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan.

Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) worth QR3.1bn to build seven vessels for the Qatar Armed Forces.

The MoUs were signed during the Dimdex event at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) recently.

Once all the necessary agreements are finalised, the vessels mentioned in the MoUs will be constructed in Qatar by NDSQ at its shipbuilding facility at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan.

The MoUs pertain to some six 50m-long axe-bow high-speed patrol vessels and one 52m-long diving support vessel for the Qatar Armed Forces. All vessels are highly sophisticated state-of-the-art naval ships to be built on proven designs providing unparalleled seaworthiness.

The diving support vessel includes decompression capabilities. A large integrated logistic support package is also mentioned in the MoUs.

Abdullah Fadhalah al-Sulaiti, NDSQ chairman and managing director, said, “We are delighted with these MoUs, both for our company and for our country. To be given the opportunity to build these vessels in the country for Qatar will be an incredible achievement and a strong contribution to the continued growth of our nation’s marine industry. These MoUs are confirmation of Qatar’s world-class shipyard capabilities.

“We are thankful to HE Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Defence and we also thank Qatar Armed Forces for placing their trust in our company and in Qatar’s marine industry. We look forward to working closely with Qatar Armed Forces and to finalising the details of this agreement”.

NDSQ is a joint venture between Nakilat and Dutch shipbuilder Damen and is based at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard at the Ras Laffan Port. NDSQ began operations in 2010 and builds ships in steel, aluminium and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP), up to 170m in length.

Nakilat is a Qatari marine transport company providing the essential transportation link in the State of Qatar’s LNG supply chain. Its LNG shipping fleet is the largest in the world, comprising some 58 LNG vessels. Nakilat also manages and operates four large LPG carriers. Via two strategic joint ventures, N-KOM and NDSQ, Nakilat operates the ship repair and construction facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard.