World Military Sailing Championship

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region, will show its full support for the Bahrain Defence Force by sponsoring the 44th World Military Sailing Championship to be held from March 13, 2010 in Bahrain.

Hosted and organized by the Bahrain Defence Force with the assistance of the Bahrain Coast Guard, the world's largest military sporting competition will pit over 25 representatives from around the world against each other in more than 26 tournament categories.

ADSB, a Gold sponsor for the event. Chairman Humaid Al Shemmari will personally present the company's services, capabilities and major achievements during the event. He will also highlight major Bahrain contracts such as the upcoming delivery of two 42m steel landing vessels for the Bahrain Navy and a refit program for the Ministry of Interior.

"We have been extremely privileged to have contracts from the Bahrain Defence Force for some 42m and 16m Landing Craft and also from the Ministry of Interior for a major refit program awarded to our company in the last 24 months. Abu Dhabi Ship Building has experienced significant growth in business over the last three years, and the Kingdom of Bahrain's marine forces have been a major factor in this success. Our sponsorship of this excellent sailing event is our own way of expressing our sincere gratitude to Bahrain for entrusting ADSB to build their key defence vessels. Going forward, ADSB will continue to strongly support the Kingdom in its defence initiatives,"


said Homaid Al Shemmari, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Ship Building.

ADSB finished two composite 'Seakeeper' fast landing craft for the Bahrain Navy ahead of schedule last year. It also refitted and upgraded 10 Patrol Boats for the Bahrain Coast Guard to extend the vessel's lifetimes by another 15 years. The shipbuilder's newly-formed logistics company, Gulf Logistics and Naval Support (GLNS), will provide the Bahrain Coast Guard complete through-life service and maintenance support.

Other 2009 achievements include the introduction of Gulf Logistics and Naval Support, a new joint venture with the UK's BAE Surface Fleet; the commencement of a fast interceptor boat contract for the Abu Dhabi Critical National Infrastructure Authority; and major commercial jobs for major companies such as ADNOC, Boskalis, Zakher Marine, National Marine Dredging Company, Abu Dhabi Terminals, and Damen, among others.

ADSB's Dhs1.16bn revenues and Dhs114m net profits for the period ending December 31, 2009 represented the shipbuilder's third consecutive year of solid financial growth and the highest in the company's history. The shipbuilder launched the first vessel under the UAE Navy Baynunah, currently its largest project, in mid-2009. The second of the six 72m Naval Corvettes will be floated towards the end of 2010, with the rest to continue undergoing construction at ADSB's Mussafah shipyard. Abu Dhabi Ship Building is a Public Joint Stock Company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. It is owned 40% by Mubadala Investment Company, 10 per cent by Abu Dhabi Government and 50% by national shareholders.