Competition, Quality and Demand Come Together
Combat, Patrol and Law Enforcement Vessels Meet Multiple Missions with varied business plans. U.S. firms building patrol, combat and law enforcement craft are weathering government budget cuts by strengthening ties with clients and public agencies. These unique boats remain in demand because of terrorism, crime, wars, piracy and fire, and most serve multiple missions. As maritime nations beef up their defense capabilities, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs help builders do business overseas.
Coastal Interceptors for Kuwait Coast Guard
Following an extensive evaluation protocol, the Kuwaiti Ministry of the interior has placed an order with Tampa Yacht Manufacturing LLC based in Florida – U.S.A, parent company of Tampa Defence UK and Tampa Defense USA, for 29 Fast Coastal Interceptor craft for the Kuwaiti Coast Guard. The 14.42M craft are powered by Man R6-800 diesels rated at 1600hp. The Tampa Yacht 44 FCI has a top speed of 55+ knots at full load and a range of over 300 nautical miles at 38 knots. With a crew capacity of up to six Coast Guard personnel the craft is equipped with NIJ111A ballistic armour, Areneson Surface Drives, crew served weapon mounts and a comprehensive electronic suite. The first craft will be delivered in September 2015.
Rotterdam, Bavaria Launch Intermodal Research
Good connections between seaports and the hinterland are vital for optimizing the logistic chain. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Bayernhafen Gruppe are therefore working together in the ‘Bayrolo’ research program. The aim of this cross-border project is to further improve intermodal container transport between Bavaria and the port of Rotterdam. By taking containers off the road and shipping them by barge and rail, cargo flows will be able to continue growing and the port of Rotterdam will be able to offer the German inland ports an alternative seaport.
Shipbuilding Companies Seek Prequalifications In Kuwaiti Tender
Approximately 10 shipbuilding firms mainly from Europe and Asia are expected to seek prequalification by the end of the month in a Kuwaiti tender for 10 patrol boats possibly worth $65 million, officials said on Wednesday. "It all depends on the final details of the requirement, but the deal could be worth around 20 million dinars ($65 million)," one official said. Firms seeking prequalification for the requirement by the Ministry of the Interior to acquire 10 115 ft. aluminum patrol boats for the Kuwait Coast Guard have to present documents by the closing date of November 29. The Coast Guard is seeking to buy water jet vessels with a speed of 30 Knots and aluminum hulls, according to tender documents.
ADSB Wins Refit Contract
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has signed a contract with Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior. The contract, for the refit of ten coast guard patrol boats, marks ADSB’s first export order for refits from another GCC country. The composite patrol boats will be delivered to the ADSB shipyard in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, where work will continue over a two-year period in the company’s new 4,000 m2 air-conditioned Composite Workshop facility. The vessels will undergo complete refurbishment, including new propulsion and auxiliary machinery, accommodation facilities and navigation equipment. The current order book value for new vessels and refit projects at ADSB is now in excess of $1b and the company is forecasting continuing growth as its business expands throughout the GCC market.
