Austal confirms an unconditional contract has been signed with Oman’s National Ferries Company (NFC) for the maintenance of seven large high-speed craft.
The contract requires Austal deliver vessel maintenance services for NFC’s five high speed ferries and two Oman Coast Guard rescue boats, co-managed by NFC, for a period of up to five years.
Work will be performed by Austal at various regional ports within the Sultanate of Oman, including the capital city, Muscat.
Austal’s service presence in the Middle East now includes hubs for the Red Sea (Egypt) and the Arabian Gulf (Oman), with a regional office in the UAE to open in coming months.
Austal General Manager – Service, Chris Pemberton, said the contract highlighted Austal’s growing vessel maintenance and technical management offering.
“With experience from more than 200 vessel deliveries worldwide, Austal Service offers practical expertise and professional advice on all aspects of ongoing vessel repair, maintenance and Through Life Support (TLS),” Mr Pemberton said.
Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive international tender process. Among the vessels covered by the contract are Austal-built 65 metre high speed vehicle ferries “Shinas” and “Hormuz”, which were delivered to the Sultanate of Oman in 2008.
Austal currently has similar vessel maintenance contracts underway in countries including Trinidad and Tobago and Egypt.