Abu Dhabi, 24 February 2013: Waha Capital PJSC (ADX: WAHA), a leading Abu Dhabi diversified investment company, announced that it has sold its three Anchor Handling Tug (AHT) vessels held by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Waha Offshore Marine Services (WOMS), to Stanford Marine Group.  Waha Capital has a 49% shareholding in Stanford Marine Group.

WOMS was established by Waha Capital in 2009 as an owner and operator of offshore support vessels focused primarily on the UAE market.  This transaction effectively consolidates Waha Capital's interests in the offshore support industry under one investment vehicle. The three vessels are currently owned by WOMS and placed under charter with Abu Dhabi Government-owned entities.  The charters are not affected by the sale.

Salem Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO & Managing Director of Waha Capital, said "The decision to combine our offshore supply assets reflects our new business strategy in which we aim to focus our investments in areas that will generate even higher returns to our shareholders. Transferring the WOMS vessels and their operating contracts to Stanford Marine Group will position the business for further growth while continuing to capture the increasing demand for offshore support services in the region."

Elias Nassif, CEO of Stanford Marine Group, added "The outlook for the oil services market in the Middle East remains strong, with some very large offshore projects requiring a significant number of additional offshore service vessels. Accordingly, through this transaction we will increase SMG's fleet size from 36 to 39 vessels. We value our continuing partnership with Waha Capital and see the transfer of these vessels as a further development of that relationship."

Waha Capital is an Abu Dhabi-based diversified investment company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.  Waha Capital's vision and strategy consist of driving multi-sector business growth and diversification through acquisitions, joint ventures and creation of new business. The firm's activity is spread across sectors as diverse as leasing, financial services, oil and gas services, and real estate development. Waha Capital's institutional shareholders include Mubadala Development Company.  For more information, please visit www.wahacapital.ae

For further information, please contact:
Dana Chehayeb                                                                     
Director - Corporate Communications                            
Waha Capital                                                       
Tel: +971 2 667 7343                                       
Dir: +971 2 4039 378                                       
E-mail: Dana.chehayeb@wahacapital.ae

© Press Release 2013