29 July 2015
Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company (IRSHAD), a part of the ADNOC Group of Companies, has taken delivery of a Damen Shoalbuster 2308, named Al Marfa 1. During a ceremony at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, the Netherlands, the company received the new vessel3 weeks ahead of schedule.

The delivery was attended by Zeid Zakaria, Senior Vice President, IRSHAD, Khalfan Ali Al Ali, Ship Building Projects Manager, IRSHAD, Pascal Slingerland, Damen Sales Manager Middle East, Jos van Woerkum, Director Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld and Peter Baars, Product Director Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld.

IRSHAD will put the vessel to use maintaining single point buoy moorings. The close contact she will have with the buoys has necessitated Damen outfitting the vessel with a range of explosion-proof equipment.Moreover, the vessel is fully compliant with OPCO's ADMA standards and regulations.

Al Marfa 1 is the latest Damen vessel to join IRSHAD's fleet, the company having taken delivery of a range of large Damen Stan Tugs over the years. MrZakaria explains: "We have been very happy with the performance of our previous Damen vessels, all of which are still operating very well."

Throughout the project, MrKhalfan Ali Al Ali has cooperated closely with Damen, which has led to an efficient building process. "The process has been very smooth," he says. "The collaboration with Damen has been very productive with clear communication. The results of this can be seen in the successful delivery of the vessel, ahead of schedule."

Damen's local shipbuilding and repair yard in the United Arab Emirates - Damen Shipyards Sharjah - has all the facilities and the team required to support IRSHADwith the Al Marfa 1during the warranty period and beyond.IRSHAD is a well-known customer for Damen Shipyards Sharjah and regularly uses the Damen facilities for maintaining and upgrading its fleet.

-Ends-

About Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen's focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low 'total cost of ownership', high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today's requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.

Contacts:
Ben Littler
Communications Advisor
+31 (0)183 65 5546
+31 (0)610 46 5742
Ben.Littler@damen.com
www.damen.com

© Press Release 2015