The National reported that Qatar Gas Transport Company has signed MoU with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for the construction and delivery of 6 naval patrol boats at Nakilat's world class shipbuilding facilities at the Port of Ras Laffan.

Nakilat said that the military vessels will be used by the QENF to support its existing operations in the monitoring and surveillance of Qatar's Economic Exclusive Zone, for coastal and offshore patrolling, search and seizure operations and for anti piracy or hijacking operations.

The Qatar Emiri Naval Force's Staff Brigadier Mohammed Bin Nasser Al Mohannadi said that “This MoU is a significant step forward in the ongoing development of the Emiri Naval Forces and provides the equipment consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the QENF to protect Qatar's national interests."

Mr Muhammad Ghannam MD of Nakilat said that "The N-DSQ MoU agreement with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for the supply of patrol vessels is a significant event for N-DSQ. It also affirms the realization of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's vision for a world lasso’s shipyard to serve the country's continuous requirements for costal patrol and marine defense."

He added that the signing of the MoU demonstrates the strategic value of a premier shipyard facility in Qatar to meet the needs of the Ministry of Defense and the Emiri Naval Forces.

Meanwhile, Nakilat Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited has signed an MoU with the Qatari Navy for ship repair services at Nakilat's new world class ship repair and shipbuilding facilities at the Port of Ras Laffan. The agreement provides for dry-docking and repairs of Qatari Navy and other military auxiliary vessels in accordance with planned maintenance program requirements. It also provides for afloat repairs of Qatari Navy vessels, periodic maintenance and servicing of machineries outside of the dry docking program as well as major upgrades and conversions of vessels.

(Sourced from the National)