Chinese firms to assist UAE port expansion
Gulf Navigation has announced plans for a major expansion and diversification of its activities into the northern emirates that could see huge investment in port infrastructure.
The Dubai-based shipowner is teaming up with Chinese shipbuilders to tap into the huge potential for maritime services in the region, including ship building, ship repair and offshore platforms, equipment and services, logistics, marine specialised operations and global mobile ship repair and services.
The eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates lies on an important shipping route and is already ranked second in the world for ship refueling/bunkering. Around 550 ships of all sizes per month call at Fujairah and Khorfakkan for ship repair services.
Gulf Navigation will cooperate with Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. and Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., both part of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) group, in the GNH Northern Project.
The “GNH Northern project will be developed in three phases. The first phase of the project will include development and upgrade of existing facilities and a Floating Dock.
Khamis Juma Buamim, GNH Board Member, MD & GROUP CEO said: “We are working on creating partnerships as part of GNHs global expansion and development strategy and to establish ourselves as market leaders in all areas of the maritime sector and to diversify sources of our income and create value for our shareholders.
The joint consortium for the Project will be headed by Engr. Omar Abu Omar, President – Marine and operations from Gulf Navigation group, and Mr. Yan Jingliang, Vice President, Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co. Ltd, from CSIC side.
