National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), a leader in logistics and transportation, has added its 38th very large crude carrier (VLCC) to its growing fleet of multipurpose vessels.

The vessel, Maharah, a 300,000-dwt carrier, was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. Built to the latest environmental and fuel-efficient technical specifications, the vessel was handed over to Bahri at a major ceremony held at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Mokpo shipyard in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, said a statement from the company.

It was attended by Bahri’s board member, Ahmed Ali Al Subaey; Hyundai Heavy Industries’ president and CEO, MK Yoon; Bahri’s acting CEO, Ali Al Harbi; Bahri Ship Management’s president, Per Pedersen; Bahri’s senior vice president – marketing, Wael Al Sarhan; Bahri’s vice president – commercial, Hisham Alnughaimish, and other senior officials.

“This is a very proud moment for all of us and as well as for Saudi Arabia,” remarked Al Subaey.

“The addition of Maharah further strengthens our position as the world›s largest owner and operator of VLCCs and reinforces our leadership position in the global transportation and logistics sector,” he noted.

“We celebrate this important milestone only months after accepting delivery of our 37th VLCC Amjad earlier this year in February,” he said.

“In current times, fleet growth is critical to offsetting low spot market rates, and the timing of this delivery could not have been better,” he added.

Bahri’s acting CEO, Ali Al Harbi said: “The partnership between Bahri and Hyundai Heavy Industries spanning over a decade has been highly successful, with 26 vessels ordered and delivered to date and eight more VLCCs currently on order, among which three will be delivered this year. With increased capacity and tonnage, we can continue to deliver world-class transportation solutions and value to our customers.”

“Bahri is a homegrown Saudi brand and a remarkable success story that further enhances the country’s position on the world map,” he added.

Yoon said Hyundai’s relationship with Bahri is one that holds immense strategic importance not only for our two organisations but also for our two nations.”

“With over 30 ocean-freight vessels delivered or currently on order, and other significant collaborative plans in the discussion or planning phase, our companies are set to alter the course of the global shipping industry,” he added.

Bahri to provide training for Saudi graduates.

Meanwhile, Bahri signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz University (KAU) to provide training opportunities to KAU’s Marine Sciences graduates on board its vessels.

Bahri will offer intensive practical training for students undergoing marine navigation and engineering programmes at KAU as part of its ‘Bahri Society’ initiative, said a statement from the company.

The move comes in line with Bahri›s commitment to contribute towards achieving Saudi Vision 2030 and its ongoing efforts to train Saudi youth, improve skills and develop their expertise in the maritime sector, it added.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bahri will find a berth on board its managed vessels for KAU Marine Sciences students, allowing the cadets to carry out their ‘sea time’ and any other tasks or projects which they are required to complete as part of their study programme.

The company will ensure that the cadets have suitable accommodation and food on board and are treated in the same manner as any cadet that Bahri would employ on board its vessels.

As part of this sponsorship agreement, Bahri will absorb the costs involved for each cadet that undergoes training on board its vessels. These costs will include airfare, visa, monthly salary and food allowance, it stated.

The company’s senior maritime officers will assess the trainees based on the procedures applied by Bahri, thus contributing to the enhancement of training outcomes.

The programme, which includes 60 cadets in this year’s edition, will involve practical maritime services training on board Bahri’s commercial vessels, where the student is trained in two phases for six months each.

On completion, the students return to the Faculty of Marine Sciences to complete the curriculum to obtain their Certificate of Graduation based on their specialisation (navigation or marine engineering), said a statement.