Dubai - Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal), globally recognised as one of the largest aluminium producers, has entered into a 10-year chartering agreement with the international shipping company Gearbulk for the world's largest liquid pitch supply vessel with 15,000 metric tonnes storage capacity.
The Dh117.53 million ($32 million) vessel, Sunbird Arrow, built by Tokushima-based Japanese shipbuilder Kanrei Shipbuilding Co Ltd., and owned by Funada Kaium Co Ltd., Japan, was floated on May 24, 2005 in Tokushima, Japan, in the presence of dignitaries and officials from Dubal, Gearbulk, the Japanese shipbuilders and the South Korean suppliers of liquid pitch.
Sunbird Arrow, the largest liquid pitch supply vessel of its kind in the world, will transport liquid pitch for Dubal which already has its own 'Dock' facilities at the Jebel Ali Port. From here the liquid pitch will then be carried safely overland, in specially designed tankers, directly to Dubal complex. The Dubal 'Dock' at Jebel Ali Port has the capacity to handle all types of shipped goods, up to a massive 1,320,000 MT of alumina and 300,000 MT of petroleum coke per year.
"This initiative is in line with the current directives given by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubal, to ensure the company's long-term projects are executed effectively and as per the planned schedule. This is also part of Dubal's constant endeavor to secure long-term supplies following the completion of our expansion process," said Masood T.Al Ali, GM of supply for Dubal. Sunbird Arrow, which will have a turnaround time of 42 days, will be used exclusively by Dubal for up to 8-10 voyages a year. The vessel is custom-built especially to carry the liquid pitch which can only be transported at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius (Centigrade). Gearbulk is one of the few globally renowned companies which have the necessary technical experience and track record to execute a project of this magnitude. The vessel also has the capacity to carry cargo up to 250 degrees C. The vessel is also part of Dubal's long-term plan to source liquid pitch supplies from other resource-rich regions. Currently, Sunbird Arrow will be used for transporting supplies from Japan and South Korea. Dubal is also eyeing supplies from China and India apart from other regions. "The agreement with Gearbulk is also part of our strategic planning to play safe in an increasingly volatile shipping market, especially in chartering vessels. At present, vessels that transport liquid pitch number only eight in the international market. These vessels have only 9,000-10,000 tonnes capacity to transport this key material for aluminium production," said Ali.
© Khaleej Times 2005
