Saudi Arabian marine companies say they are looking at emerging opportunities to enter the wider regional market, especially Qatar.
While Zamil Shipyard, a division of Zamil Operations and Maintenance (ZOM), is hoping to secure contracts for its Dammam-based shipbuilding yard, Jeddah headquartered Dena-BMS Company plans a ship repair and port service facility in Qatar while assessing the viability of entering the UAE market.
Both companies were present at the Ship and Port Arabia 2005 exhibition held recently at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
"We are seeking orders from the Gulf region and offer not just cost advantages, but also faster delivery times," said Hassan Aburaya, consultant to the president, ZOM.
Dena-BMS Company, a fully-owned Saudi company headquartered in Jeddah with operational base in the eastern province, offers port services, stevedoring, pilotage and towage. Its ship repair division has two floating dry docks each in Dammam and Jeddah.
Two months ago, the group teamed up with AA Nass group of companies in Bahrain and founded a new venture based in Saudi and Bahrain called Dena Tech Dive.
"This is going to be the Dena group of companies arm into the Gulf. The joint venture is soon to set up operations in Qatar to start repair facilities and offer port services," said Captain Abdullah A Jazzar, president, Dena-BMS Company.
"It is a promising market, better than the UAE because here it is very competitive. However we are looking at opportunities in the UAE as well at the moment," said Capt Jazzar.
"We also have plans to open a boat building facility in Dammam to make fiberglass boats," he said.
Gulf News
