DOHA: Following the mobilization of a second cutter suction dredger (CSD) in March this year at The Pearl-Qatar, Qatar Dredging Company's flagship dredger Al Mahaar is being released for major refit and modification.
Al Mahaar will return to service in Qatar waters in November as the world's largest CSD capable of operating both in shallow waters and at depth. UDC's research has shown that increasing demand is likely for vessels with this valuable operational flexibility.
United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector firms, was instrumental in the creation of Qatar Dredging Company (QDC) in June 2004. The move brought world-class land reclamation to the country in a joint venture between the State of Qatar (10 per cent), UDC (45.9 per cent) and Belgium's international dredging specialists Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering BV (DEME) (44.1 per cent).
As the largest shareholder in Qatar Dredging Company, UDC has been the inspiration behind bringing modern land reclamation methods to Qatar. UDC - which is currently in the middle of a Rights Issue to increase its capital - will use the new funds for continued growth in all its businesses. There will be a specific focus on high technical content and prestigious dredging, marine works and land reclamation projects in Qatar and around the Gulf.
The Chairman of UDC, Hussein Alfardan, explained: "The refit and modifications of Al Mahaar are part of UDC's forward planning strategy, as we develop our own vision for this increasingly vital local industry. When Al Mahaar returns, QDC will be proud owners of the largest capacity shallow water CSD in the world."
He added: "Following the conclusion last month of a $25.5m loan with Commercialbank here in Doha, QDC is actively expanding its fleet, its facilities and infrastructure in order to service both existing contracts and substantial new projects due to start soon across the region.
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© The Peninsula 2005
