JEDDAH: Al Khalaf Group and Drydocks World have finally agreed on a $80 million conversion, following a long-term memorandum of understanding between the two sides in which Drydocks World will convert one of the biggest ships to transport livestock from Australia, New Zealand and other countries to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf. Another draft agreement plans to convert and/or build a second vessel after the completion of the Awassi Express. The agreement came as a result of the meeting held in Dubai between Sheikh Hamood Al-Ali Al-Khalaf, owner and CEO of Al Khalaf Group, and Khamis Juma Bu Amim, Chairman of Drydocks and Maritime World. The two parties met in Singapore where they visited the project sites in the Indonesian island of Batam. Al-Khalaf was impressed with the size of the infrastructure and capability of Drydocks World and reaffirmed the commitment of his company to work with the latter, stressing that the success achieved by Dubai is a success for the entire Middle East Gulf.
