Drydocks World establishes credentials in conversion sector with groundbreaking

Drydocks World has entered the livestock carrier conversion sector with a $60 million groundbreaking order from Saudi Arabian company Hmood Al Ali Al Khalaf Trading and Transportation Est. The contract is to convert a 2,300 TEU container ship into a livestock carrier in line with state-of-the-art technical specifications.
Utilising 5,500 tonnes of steel and incorporating specially pre-fabricated pens with total area of about 25,000sqm, the Awassi Express will be equipped to safely, comfortably and humanely transport livestock in conditions far exceeding the minimum safety and animal welfare requirements stipulated by AMSA Australia and other World Maritime Safety Authorities.
The livestock carrier is designed by Denmark-based firm Corral Line, and to be converted at Drydocks World’s Pertama yard in Batam, Indonesia.
“We are delighted with all our growing achievements in Batam,” said Denis Welch, Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks World – Southeast Asia, “but none more so than this conversion.”
“Our enthusiasm for the project sprang from the excellent relations we developed with our customer, a dialogue which is always of number one importance to us. As a result we are now looking at the potential to expand our engagement with this aspect of the conversion sector.”
A spokesperson for Hmood Al Ali Al Khalaf Trading and Transportation Est., CEO Australasia Mr George Assaf, commented, “Our main reason for awarding this contract to Drydocks World is the group’s long-term experience in building and converting livestock carriers, and its growing reputation in this region to deliver value for money products on time and to very exacting specifications.”
“We are fortunate to have some of the very best and most experienced people working with us in this part of the world,” Denis Welch continued. “It’s this resource bank of top professionals, plus our dedication to this region as a hub for new business and a great place to fulfil customer orders, that provides us the edge. It gives us both the confidence and the creativity to diversify our portfolio.”
The contract was signed recently and the Awassi Express is due for delivery in the last quarter of the year.