Newsletter No. 315
News-Analysis
June 24, 2006

 

OMANI MINISTER VISITS NAGASAKI FOR THE LAUNCH OF A TRANSPORT SHIP

Ahmad bin Abd al-Nabi Makki, the Omani Minister of the National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, paid a short visit to Nagasaki from the 20th. Makki -- who is also the Chairman of the state-owned Oman Shipping Company (OSC) -- came to Japan to preside over the launching of the new LNG carrier, Ibri.

The Ibri has become the fifth LNG carrier in the OSC fleet. (The other four are Muscat, Suhar, Salalah, and Nizwa). The Ibri was constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at their shipyard in Nagasaki. The ship will be owned by three partners: the OSC (60%); the Mitsubishi Corporation (20%), and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (20%).

Makki’s schedule included an interview with the Deputy Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and a tour of the new ship hosted by Mitsubishi engineers. The launching ceremony was also attended by Muhammad bin Yusuf al-Zarafi, the Omani Ambassador to Tokyo.

Back in April it was announced that Mitsubishi and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) would engage in a new 15-year contract with Oman’s Qalhat LNG (see Shingetsu Newsletter No. 235). This ship launching appears to be closely related to that project.