Abu Dhabi, May 17th, 2006 (WAM) - Abu Dhabi Ship Building todaylaunched its first Naval export order, a landing craft for theRoyal Navy of Oman. It is the first time that a vessel for aGulf Cooperation Council country has been built by another memberof the regional grouping.
The launching ceremony, at ADSB's Musaffah shipyard,was attended by senior officers from the Oman and UAE navies.
The 64 metre landing craft, named Al Munassir, has been designedlocally with special features to meet the Oman Navy's operationalrequirements.The Navy placed the order with ADSB in February 2005. Fittingout will now take place and Al Munassir will be handed over aftersea trials later this year.
ADSB has previously built three similar landing craft for theUAE Navy but sees the Oman contract as a major breakthrough inits efforts to win new building contracts from regional Navaland Coast Guard authorities. "Since being formed ten years ago, Abu Dhabi Ship Building hasgained a reputation for world class capabilities," said ADSBChairman Abdullah Nasser Al Mansouri."We are in ongoing discussions with all the regional armed forcesand there is now a general acceptance of the advantages of meetingtheir requirements, where possible, within the GCC countries.
"We are delighted that the Royal Oman Navy selected ADSB forthis important project and we look forward to also providinghigh quality naval vessels and support services in future forother GCC countries."ADSB's other current Naval projects include building six corvettesfor the UAE Navy, the largest shipbuilding project ever undertakenin the Middle East. The 72 metre corvettes are a unique classof warship with multi-mission capabilities and will use the latestin weapons and sensor technology. They will be the largest steelhulled naval vessels ever built that will use only water jetpropulsion.
