Mega projects drive growth in Middle East workboats

A growing demand for workboats of all sizes is also being stimulated by the mega-dollar port and reclamation schemes taking place around the Arabian Peninsula.

All will come under the spotlight at a dedicated industry event - Middle East Workboats 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (28-30 April 2008) - organised by Seatrade. The exhibition will be supported by a high level conference aimed at senior managers and decision-makers.

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates and the heart of the workboat industry in the region, is fast becoming a gateway to the global workboat business with projects in hand totalling more than $400bn.

The energy industry in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is investing a combined total of $56.7bn in offshore oil and gas projects, according to database company Proleads. In liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects alone, all of which require terminals, Qatar, Oman, the UAE and Kuwait are investing more than $21bn in facilities.

Vanessa Stephens, Events Director at Seatrade, the organiser of Middle East Workboats, said: "The sheer numbers tell the story. The Middle East and the Arabian Gulf in particular is fast becoming a global market for workboats, irrespective of their size or function."

An example of the unprecedented demand for offshore supply and service vessels across the oil and gas industries is provided by ESNAAD, the supply arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. It currently manages a fleet of 36 vessels and has 10 new vessels on order for delivery at the end of 2008.

In addition, the unprecedented scale of offshore developments, port and land reclamation projects taking place across the Middle East is spurring the long-term need for workboats, not only in construction but also for the ongoing maintenance and service needs of the projects.

It is estimated that annually more than 2,000 workboats, from tugs to dive boats to dredgers are docked or repaired in the Middle East. There are 13 ship repair yards in the region sustaining five dry docks, eight floating docks and 17 slipways, confirming the Gulf as a well established hub for workboats.

A number of trends in the oil and gas industry are influencing the design and operation of workboats. They include the "increasing share of oil and gas discoveries and production situated in deepwater; the increasing size of LNG carriers to control shipping costs in response to the industries continued globalisation; and the siting of LNG terminals in more exposed locations," said Captain Gary Dockerty.

Dockerty is Group Business Development Manager, of United Arab Emirates based Lamnalco, a global provider of towage and associated marine services to the oil and gas terminal industry, and one of a number of high level expert regional and international speakers taking part in Middle East Workboats.

Among the other industry related topics at the Middle East Workboats conference will be the financing of workboats, contracting arrangements and the expanding regional construction and repair facilities. The importance of maintaining the safety record of workboats along with class rules will also be examined along with technological changes in small craft and manpower recruitment in today's challenging environment.

James MacHardy, the former General Manager at the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, will be chairing the conference.

Middle East Workboats has gained industry backing with sponsors including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ESNAAD, Irshad, Det Norske Veritas, TJ Shipping and Logistics, Nico International, Svitzer and Wartsila. Supporting organisations include the International Marine Contractors Association and the UK's Royal Institution of Naval Architects.