Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the Qatar Armed Forces to build seven vessels, in a deal worth QAR3.1bn ($850.6m).
Following the finalisation of all of the required agreements, the Qatari shipbuilder will construct the vessels at its shipbuilding facility at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma in Ras Laffan.
Under the terms of the deal, NDSQ will build six 50m long axe-bow high-speed patrol vessels and one 52m-long diving support vessel, which comprises decompression capabilities, for the armed forces.
A large integrated logistics support package will also be produced.
NDSQ chairman and Nakilat managing director Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti said: "To be given the opportunity to build these vessels for Qatar will be an incredible achievement and a strong contribution to the continued growth of our nation’s marine industry.
"We are thankful to HE major general Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah, minister of state for defence and we also thank the Qatar Armed Forces for placing their trust in our company and in Qatar’s marine industry."
NDSQ, which builds ships with steel, aluminium and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP), is a joint venture between Nakilat and Dutch shipbuilder Damen.
Image: NDSQ has signed an agreement to build seven vessels for the Qatar Armed Forces. Photo: courtesy of Damen.
