Dubai-based shipbuilding and repair company Grandweld as completed sea trials with the first aluminum hull crew boat built in the emirate. The 70-feet vessel is one of three new crew boats Grandweld is constructing for Inchcape Shipping Services. Two of the boats have aluminum hulls, while the third is being fabricated from steel.
“The design was specially developed to meet a wide range of operational requirements and maintain high performance in abnormal weather conditions,” said Kamal Al-Aali, Grandweld’s sales manager. “The first two vessels will be ready for delivery ahead of schedule. Test results have exceeded expectations so far.”
All three crew boats, which are capable of up to 30 knots, will be fitted with Detroit diesel 12V-71 TI engines, driving two fixed pitch propellers through twin disc marine gears.
Located in the Dubai Ship Docking Yard, at Al-Jadaf, Grandweld was established in 1984 and has 400 employees. It is currently undertaking two six figure projects—a major refit of the 130-feet super yacht M.Y. Al-Fahedi and modifications to the M.V. Ali, a multi-purpose ferry/landing craft, which includes shortening the vessel from 85 to 65 meters. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
