Grandweld clinches KOC contractGrandweld clinches KOC contract

The new vessels will be designed to carry out the lifting and moving of heavy equipment, the supply of bunkers and fresh water, and single buoy mooring handling operations. Ship cranes will be capable of lifting 20 tonnes at an outreach of 10 m.

Grandweld’s DMC facility comprises seven covered building halls with space to construct up to 21 new vessels, depending on size. Meanwhile, larger ship-lifts at DMC will enable the firm to service larger craft. The new facilities are a marked contrast to cramped space at Al Jadaf, although Grandweld plans to maintain a presence there for the next two years or so. It will continue to repair small vessels and build some aluminium craft there.

The company’s move to DMC is set to mark a new chapter in its corporate development. It will specifically target markets in Europe, according to senior executives. Grandweld is currently bidding for four more seismic support vessels for Marseilles-based Bourbon. The first of six such vessels for the offshore operator is due to deliver any time now.