DHAHRAN — International Maritime Industries (IMI) has announced that the first piece of steel had been cut on rig one (of two) for ARO; a world-class offshore drilling contractor that owns, operates, and manages a fleet of high-specification and premium jack-up rigs in Saudi Arabia. Earlier in January this year, the two Keppel LeTourneau Super 116E jack-up drilling rigs have been sub-contracted to long-term partners; Lamprell Energy Ltd (Lamprell) and following the steel cutting, will be built in their world class Hamriyah Facility in the UAE. The delivery of the first rig is expected in Q1 2022 and the second rig in Q2 2022. The steel cutting ceremony was conducted remotely; via video technology to ensure suitable social distancing measures were adhered to, in the wake of the current global pandemic, COVID-19. Commenting on the steel cutting, (which is a crucial milestone for off-shore new build construction), Fathi K. Al Saleem, CEO of IMI, said: “These new build jack-up rig projects provide many benefits for IMI; including the sharing of technical knowledge and IP from Lamprell to IMI and a mechanism to address the development plans required for IMI employees, so they acquire world class skills in rig building and planning that will ensure IMI is well equipped to build rigs independently in Ras Al Khair, once IMI’s world class shipyard opens.” Also commenting on the steel cutting, Kelly McHenry, CEO of ARO, said: “ARO is committed to working with Lamprell and IMI to build the first rigs on-time and safely, ensuring that the design is purpose built to ensure maximum efficiency for its client, Saudi Aramco. Following the building of the first two rigs, ARO is looking forward to working with IMI to develop state-of-the-art jack-ups (IMI-2030), which will be built in Saudi Arabia.” Lamprell’s CEO, Christopher McDonald commented: “This strategically important project is all about partnerships, in order to realize a vision. IMI, while our client, was created through the dedicated efforts of our strategic partners: Saudi Aramco, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Bahri and ourselves. “ARO Drilling, similarly, is borne of strategic partners. So, it is important that we tap into the value of our respective expertise as we continue through the execution phase to deliver highly safe, reliable and cost-effective projects. Marking the start of fabrication via this long held tradition of steel cutting is a proud moment for all of us.” International Maritime Industries, located in The King Salman Complex for International Maritime Industries & Services at Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia, is planned to be the largest, full service maritime facility in MENA. When building is complete, the annual capacity of the facility will be four new build offshore rigs and over 43 new build vessels including VLCCs, in addition to servicing more than 260 maritime products. Major production operations are expected to commence toward the end of 2020 with the facility reaching its full production capacity by 2022. International Maritime Industries is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, Lamprell, Bahri and Hyundai Heavy Industries. — SG