Keppel and Nakilat Cut Ribbon on Huge Shipyard in Qatar

First phase of $2.8 Billion repair yard opens, with eight major fleet owners already on board

Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM), Qatar's premier offshore and marine facility jointly developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M) and Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat), was launched yesterday by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang.

On this occasion, N-KOM strengthened its credentials to be a leading shipyard in the Middle East with the signing of a three year fleet servicing agreement with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCo) for ship repair services. N-KOM further signed a memorandum of understanding with Gulf Drilling International (QSC) and also entered into letters of intent with, Idemitsu Tanker, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, NYK Line, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line), Iino Kaiun Kaisha (Iino Lines) and Marine Contracting Association (MARCAS) to provide shipyard and drydocking services for their vessels.

Mr Choo Chiau Beng, CEO of Keppel Corporation and Chairman of Keppel O&M said, "When we embarked on this landmark collaboration with Nakilat in 2007, we had envisioned that it would be a best-in-class shipyard, and the preferred partner for marine and offshore solutions in the region.

"As N-KOM opens its doors to the world, we are on the journey to transform this vision into reality. We would like to thank our valued customers for their confidence in us with the signing of these fleet servicing arrangements. We look forward to delivering our projects safely, on time and within budget. This is Keppel's quality hallmark, which we bring close to our customers and markets, wherever they are."

Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang remarked, "The launch of N-KOM today is a result of the strong desire by Singapore and Qatar to forge greater collaboration, and the years of hard work between our countries and companies.

As part of the inauguration, N-KOM was also presented with certification from DNV (Det Norske Veritas) for its Integrated Management System covering ISO 9001 for Quality, OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health & Safety and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management.

His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry for the State of Qatar and Chairman, Nakilat, said, "The Nakilat Shipyard combines world-class facilities with outstanding international partners which will establish Qatar as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in shipbuilding, repair and conversion along with new capabilities in industrial fabrication and construction".