MANAMA: ASRY (Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard), the Bahrain-based maritime repair and fabrication facility, has signed a new fleet agreement with one of the region’s largest marine fleet owners, Bahri, which is set to boost co-operation and attract more of the global brand’s assets to Bahrain. The leading Saudi Arabian shipowner has committed to a Fleet Repair Framework Agreement that sets favourable terms and conditions for their assets to be repaired and drydocked at ASRY into 2019.

To date Bahri currently owns 91 vessels, and is one of the world’s foremost transportation and logistics companies. Established as the national shipping carrier of Saudi Arabia, it has played a leading role in the transformation and growth of the Arabian shipping industry, and the agreement represents another strategic link with ASRY, which has just celebrated its 40th year of operation making it the most experienced maritime repair facility in the Middle East.

Abdel Aziz Sabri, President of Mideast Shipmanagement, Bahri’s management arm, commented on the agreement, “ASRY has been a long-term partner of Bahri, having repaired many of their vessels successfully. We’re pleased to take this next step with them and we look forward to this agreement allowing our fleet to be repaired with even greater ease and in greater numbers in the future.”

ASRY’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Shaw said: ‘It’s very encouraging to enhance our relationship with such a prestigious owner as Bahri. This agreement allow us to offer the best value and flexibility for drydock availability, prices, and repairs, and continue to deliver high standards of safety, quality and schedule. We understand the downward pressure being faced by owners, and encourage these collaborative ways of supporting fleets both regionally and globally.”