Asry, the Arabian Gulf’s leading maritime repair and fabrication facility, recently announced the delivery of its first ASME U-stamped pressure vessel fabrication project.

Awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the ‘U Stamp’ is an indication of quality for pressure vessels.

Asry: attracting PV repair projects

The company said it was able to complete and deliver the project within six months of receiving the ASME accreditation, which enabled Asry to manufacture and repair pressure vessels that are key equipment in the oil and gas industry.

Positioning itself as an engineering facility of choice in the region, Asry said it has been able to attract more pressure vessel manufacturing and repair projects during the past few months through committing to the delivery of good quality work, safely and on schedule.

The shipyard attained this accreditation after an extensive review of the company’s quality management systems, engineering, warehousing, production, and quality control capabilities.

Based on the review, Asry was found compliant with ASME work due to its commitment to applying the highest international standards in all aspects of work.

SHIP RECYCLING HUB

Delivering on schedule

Earlier, the kingdom’s shipyard announced that it is aiming to create a leading hub for vessel recycling in the Middle East Gulf, complying with the highest global standards in in partnership with Netherlands-based Elegant Exit Company (EEC).

In an important step towards that objective, Asry has recently been certified as being compliant with the global ship recycling Hong Kong Convention standards, as well as the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation and ISO 30000 Ship Recycling Management Systems guidelines. As a result, the yard has achieved now compliance with the three highest global environmentally-conscious ship recycling certifications, the Hong Kong Convention, European Union Ship Recycling Regulation and IS0 30000, after being audited recently.

“As Asry continues on its modernisation drive,” commented Asry Managing Director, Mazen Matar. “Environmental sustainability is a vital part of the facility’s future operations. As a responsible member of the maritime industry, we must not tolerate harmful and dangerous practices of ship recycling, which are common practice across the globe. We have now achieved compliance with the strictest international standards with a view to being able to offer a sustainable, responsible and affordable alternative for vessel owners with end-of-life maritime assets. There is also natural synergy with nearby steel production facilities, who can benefit from this new initiative.”

 EEC’s Head of Middle East Operations Capt Soumitro Roy, added: “By combining EEC’s all round expertise in the shipping industry, Asry’s geographic location and technical proficiency, and the proximity to major steel producers, we have an unique opportunity to give global ship owners a tangible solution for ethical vessel disposal.” Dutch-based EEC is deploying an OOR (Own, Operate, Recycle) model which provides exit options for owners wanting to retire their middle aged vessels.

There are significant cost savings from reduced energy usage, reduced wastewater generation, reduced slag production, and reduced emissions – all achieved by using vessel grade recycled scrap steel. Increased pressure on the steel industry to comply with environmental regulations, demand for Leed steel and also a need for the top players to improve their sustainability reputation, will drive greater demand for green steel projects. Asry and EEC’s initiative aims at vertically integrating this sector by synergising the needs of the ship owners, the yard and the ultimate end beneficiary, the steel mills.

These initial statements of compliance to the Hong Kong Convention and European Union Ship Recycling Regulation, plus the ISO 30000 certification are the foundations of the journey targeting the first vessel to be recycled to global environmental standard in the Arabian Gulf during the second half of 2021 at Asry, with a view to increasing capacity, efficiency and turnaround in the succeeding months.

HONOURED

The company, last month, won the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Award at the prestigious Seatrade Maritime Awards MEISA (Middle East, Indian Sub-continent & Africa) 2021. The award recognises the regional ship repair facility which has excelled in meeting the needs of its customers and advancing the technical capability, cost efficiency, environmental reputation and safety culture of the sector.

Matar, who received the award at a VIP ceremony held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Dubai, commented: “We are honoured to be recognised as the region’s leading ship repair facility. Our journey of modernisation and innovation continues, and this is a testament to our commitment to safety, schedule and quality to maximise customer satisfaction. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritise customer needs and safety, to carry on leading the way in the regional maritime industry”.

Judged by an expert panel of industry thought leaders, the Seatrade Maritime Awards are widely recognised as one of the region's most prestigious industry awards designed to celebrate maritime industry's highest achievers.