Abu Dhabi Ports’ Offshore Arm OFCO Expands Fleet with Purchase of Seven State-of-the-Art Vessels

• Additions Comprise of Four Anchor Handling Tugs, a Landing Craft and Supply Ship, as well as a Multipurpose Safety Standby Vessel

Abu Dhabi, UAE – August 19, 2021: Offshore Support and Logistics Services Company (OFCO – Offshore International), the integrated maritime logistics service provider that is jointly owned by Allianz Marine & Logistics Services (AMLS) and SAFEEN, Abu Dhabi Ports’ marine services arm, has announced the acquisition of seven support vessels as part of its offshore marine services fleet.

Comprising of four Anchor Handling Tugs (AHT), a 65-metre landing craft, as well as a supply ship and multipurpose safety standby vessel, the newest additions to OFCO’s fleet will further extend the new company’s capabilities in providing highly efficient and cost-effective onshore and offshore integrated logistics solutions and subsea services.

Combined with a fully operational offshore supply land base and led by a growing team of industry-leading talent, OFCO’s fleet expansion marks Abu Dhabi Ports’ venture into the ever-evolving field of regional and international offshore logistics.

Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, Acting CEO of Maritime Cluster - AD Ports Group said: “With the acquisition of diversified and ultra-modern support vessels as part of our ever-expanding offshore marine services fleet, Abu Dhabi Ports is rapidly taking its strategic move into offshore logistics to new heights, while simultaneously cementing its role as the preferred maritime services provider in the Middle East and beyond.

“Possessing a unique proposition that combines industry-leading capabilities, rich talent, and cost-efficient solutions as part of a holistic offering, OFCO will deliver immense value to our customers, particularly for those active within the GCC’s offshore oil and gas market.

“We will continue to explore other potential vessel acquisitions and other related expansion opportunities in an effort to broaden our overall service capabilities, and to ensure we are well-positioned to satisfy the increasingly complex needs of the offshore market for years to come.”

Officially launched in January 2021, OFCO currently serves as one of the largest and competitively priced providers of onshore and offshore integrated logistics solutions, and subsea services in the GCC.

Deploying a winning combination of exceptional fleet assets, logistics solutions and supply-base operations, OFCO is well-placed to deliver a wide range of specialised services geared towards large offshore infrastructure projects, including active operations within the Middle East’s oil and gas sector.

Offering a unique ‘one-stop-shop’ offering, the company’s solution portfolio, which in addition to subsea services include integrated logistics for O&G and EPC organisations, as well as inspection repair and maintenance (IRM), is further supported by Abu Dhabi Ports’ land-based logistical assets.

Ahmed Khalil, General Manager, Allianz Middle East Ship Management, said: “The expansion of OFCO’s offshore marine service fleet has greatly enhanced the organisation’s capabilities in meeting the ever-evolving demands of the region’s offshore energy market.

“Building on this momentous occasion, we aim to continue developing our unique offering incorporating not only the latest in support vessel design, the highest industry best practices and innovations, but we also strive to embrace new capabilities that will enable us to serve the end-to-end logistical needs of customers in other expanding industries.”

Friedrich Portner, General Manager, OFCO said: “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of seven ultra-modern support vessels, which will be integrated into OFCO’s offshore marine services fleet. In a short time since the inception of the organisation, we have been able to swiftly expand the size of our standing fleet and placed ourselves in a position where we can serve large-scale and complex offshore operations.

“Extending our capacity to deliver integrated logistical solutions to customers seeking premium offshore services in the GCC, the new additions to our fleet have reinforced our capabilities in supporting vessels carrying specialised cargo for the oil and gas sector.”