Rocktree has also been engaged by SAFEEN to provide technical management and crewing services for the vessel since its delivery. Work to convert the 101,648dwt Niki is currently in progress at China’s Cosco Guangzhou shipyard and is scheduled for completion during Q4/2020, when the transhipper will be renamed Hafeet. When delivered the vessel will provide a vital link in the supply of iron ore for Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Steel.
From January 2021, the 253m long Hafeet will transship iron ore from bulkers up to Newcastlemax size (210,000dwt) in deep water anchorage onto 12,000dwt self-propelled, self-discharging barges (shuttle feeders), which will feed the Emirates Steel plant at Musaffah Port. Hafeet will also have capacity to store iron ore pellets inside seven cargo holds while waiting for the shuttle feeders.
Rocktree CEO Daniele Pratolongo, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by such an important client to design this transhipment vessel, oversee the conversion project and be entrusted with the initial ship management on behalf of SAFEEN.”
Head of Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Cluster and SAFEEN CEO, Capt. Adil Banihammad, said: “We are very positive about this latest project which is in line with our vision of expansion into the Transhipment sector of maritime business. The Transhipment contract serving Emirates Steel, adds one more feather to SAFEEN’s cap after the ongoing management of a similar project in West Africa.”