Lamprell set to build first jack-up rigs for Saudi mega-yard IMI

Lamprell is one of the joint venture partners in IMI has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to build a pair of jack-up rigs collaboratively with IMI for a client of the Saudi yard. The rigs will be built to Schedule G requirements for operation in Saudi waters.

Most of the fabrication work for the rig newbuilds will be carried at Lamprell’s yard in the UAE with the shipbuilder carrying out around 15% of the work in Saudi Arabia.

“This is a significant step forward for the Saudi maritime yard. Following Lamprell's recent announcement regarding its ascension to Saudi Aramco's long term agreement programme, this is a further demonstration of the importance of the Saudi Arabian market to our strategic aspirations,” said Christopher MacDonald, ceo of Lamprell.

“The developing relationship between IMI and Lamprell will continue to be enhanced as we construct these rigs and we are excited by the opportunity to collaborate with them on such an innovative and important project."

Read more: Lamprell and Boskalis chosen for Saudi Aramco contractor programme

IMI is a $5.2bn mega-yard project at Ras Al Khair on the Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia, 70% jointly owned by Saudi Aramco (50.1%) and its most important tonnage provider Bahri (19.9%), the remainder belonging to UAE-based rig builder Lamprell (20%) and shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) (10%) of Korea.

The new facility, due to come on stream in phases between 2019 and 2021, will have four zones for activities covering the maintenance, repair and overhaul of rigs and ships; the construction of offshore support vessels OSVs; the building of merchant vessels; and the fabrication of jack-up rigs.