Saudi Arabia-based Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, has expanded its market footprint and enhanced connectivity with the company’s MV Bahri Jeddah making its maiden call at two of India’s leading ports.

The RoCon vessel arrived for the first time at the Kamarajar Port at Ennore and the Chennai International Terminal at Chennai Port recently.

Owned and operated by Bahri Logistics, one of Bahri’s five business units, MV Bahri Jeddah will call regularly at Ennore and on an inducement basis at Chennai, offering direct call from South India to US East Coast. The business unit operates six multipurpose vessels on a regular liner schedule, all uniquely designed to carry project, breakbulk, container and IMO cargoes as well as heavy lifts, special purpose vehicles, and mining equipment in a single voyage.

A ceremony was held on board the vessel to mark this achievement in the presence of officials from Kamarajar Port Trust, MV Bahri Jeddah, and Transmarine Cargo Services, which represents Bahri Logistics in South India in its capacity as a shipping agent.

Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri said: “In line with its long-term growth strategy, Bahri has remained keen on deepening its market presence and boosting its capabilities and MV Bahri Jeddah’s new milestone represents a major step forward in that direction.

“We aim to capitalise on Bahri Logistics reputation as a preferred carrier for heavy lift cargoes and other RoRo segments as well as our two decades’ experience in India to further strengthen our foothold in this promising market. With the new port calls, we are strategically positioned to offer our industry-leading logistics and transportation solutions to a wider customer base across the world.”

One of the top 10 breakbulk carriers in the world, Bahri Logistics has been present in India since 2000. Bahri has firmly established itself as a prominent player in the country’s maritime sector, linking it with key global markets along the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the US via a fast and reliable liner service using its fleet of state-of-the-art RoCon vessels. The company’s service also helps connect India to Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean via internationally recognised transshipment hubs.

With a dedicated office in Mumbai, Bahri India works with major OEMs for moving cargo exports out of India and is also actively involved in the shipment of high and heavy equipment, serving a growing roster of clients.

$203M AGREEMENT WITH SWCC

Earlier, reaffirming its leading position in the maritime sector, Bahri, signed a 20-year agreement, valued at SR 760 million ($203 million), with Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), a Saudi Government Corporation responsible for the desalination of seawater, producing electric power, and supplying various regions in the Kingdom with desalinated water, to transport desalinated water from the floating stations to desalination tanks.

The agreement includes establishing three floating stations to desalinate water and the transfer of desalinated water from the stations to desalination tanks. Each station will have a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters per day with a total capacity of 150,000 cubic meters a day. The project will be operational for 20 years, starting from the date of commercial operation, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Commenting on this agreement, Aldubaikhi said: “Building on our long-standing partnership, we are pleased to collaborate again with Saline Water Conversion Corporation to further our contributions to Saudi Arabia’s efforts aimed at building up self-sufficient and indigenous capabilities across various sectors as directed in Saudi Vision 2030. With this agreement, we aim to support our partner to meet rising demand for water and electricity, thereby serving the needs of businesses and communities in the Kingdom and we are proud that the 20-year contract comes as an appreciation for our industry-leading credentials in offering logistics and transportation solutions for various industries.”

The new contract follows an agreement signed between Bahri and Saline Water Conversion Corporation earlier this year that sets a fixed price on a five-year term for the shipment of spare parts needed at desalination plants in Eastern and Western Coasts.

Bahri plays an important role in the growth and development of the global maritime industry by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to offer innovative and value-added door-to-door services by sea, land and air. The company owns a fleet of 89 vessels and is the world’s largest owner and operator of Very Large Crude-oil Carriers (VLCCs) as well as the largest owner and operator of chemical tankers in the Middle East.