Emirates Steel announced the start of transshipment operations at its facilities within the framework of the new partnership with the “Seven” group, the marine services arm of Abu Dhabi Ports, according to a 10-year agreement between the two parties, which is the latest addition to the group’s projects in the field of transshipment.
The agreement – which was signed in 2019 between the two subsidiary companies of the «Holding» – is the largest in the field of transshipment services in terms of volume within the Arab Gulf region, and its terms will be implemented by using a “Post Panamax” class that was acquired in April 2020 and bears the name Hafeet is the largest commercial vessel in size registered under the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel has undergone modifications that include being equipped with four new and advanced winches, dedicated hooks, a fully automatic unloading system, and lateral steering motors to enhance control capabilities, in addition to additional power generators.
According to the agreement, the Safeen Group will provide transshipment services for three shipments of iron ore belonging to the Emirates Steel Company per month, by employing 3 self-propelled ferries that have been modified to meet the needs of transshipment operations.
In addition, “Seven” will use a wide variety of marine assets, such as tug boats and speedboats, and will also be responsible for purchasing, chartering and maintaining cargo ships, as well as providing equipment for loading and unloading operations for Emirates Steel.
The four ships will work together to unload and reload the cargo loaded on board the “mother ship” that will vary in size up to the category of “Newcastle Max”, to then transport the raw materials from the berthing sites to the berth of the Emirates Steel Company at the port of Mussafah.
Engineer Saeed Ghamran Al Rumaithi, CEO of Emirates Steel, said: “This partnership with the Safeen Group of Abu Dhabi Ports embodies Emirates Steel’s keenness to build local strategic alliances based on our firm commitment to support cooperation between national institutions in the United Arab Emirates. This cooperation is to benefit from the integrated capabilities of the (Seven) transhipment fleet.
For his part, Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The launch of transshipment operations and support for logistical activities of (Emirates Steel) comes within the framework of the (Seven) Group’s first project in this specialized sector. The integrated services provided by Abu Dhabi Ports to its customers … The alignment between our long experience as a provider of marine services and the growing and modern capabilities of our modified fleet dedicated to transshipment services, headed by a ship (Hafit), allows us to present valuable offers that contribute to enhancing the maritime and logistical activities of the customers. The door for companies to reach broader horizons in their business. ”
