Abu Dhabi Ship Building launch first Naval export order

It is the first time that a vessel for a Gulf Cooperation Council country has been built by another member of the regional grouping.

The launching ceremony, at ADSB's Musaffah (Abu Dhabi) shipyard, was attended by senior officers from the Oman and UAE navies.

The 64 metre landing craft, named Al Munassir, has been designed locally with special features to meet the Oman Navy's operational requirements.

The Navy placed the order with ADSB in February 2005. Fitting out will now take place and Al Munassir will be handed over after sea trials later this year.

ADSB has previously built three similar landing craft for the UAE Navy but sees the Oman contract as a major breakthrough in its efforts to win new building contracts from regional Naval and Coast Guard authorities.

"Since being formed ten years ago, Abu Dhabi Ship Building has gained a reputation for world class capabilities," said ADSB Chairman Abdullah Nasser Al Mansouri.

"We are in ongoing discussions with all the regional armed forces and there is now a general acceptance of the advantages of meeting their requirements, where possible, within the GCC countries.

"We are delighted that the Royal Oman Navy selected ADSB for this important project and we look forward to also providing high quality naval vessels and support services in future for other GCC countries," he added.

ADSB's other current Naval projects include building six corvettes for the UAE Navy, the largest shipbuilding project ever undertaken in the Middle East. The 72 metre corvettes are a unique class of warship with multi-mission capabilities and will use the latest in weapons and sensor technology. They will be the largest steel hulled naval vessels ever built that will use only water jet propulsion.