Goltens Dubai signs MOU with Brødrene Aa
"Øyvakt"
If all goes to plan during the 12-month MOU, the companies will set up a joint business venture to promote and market these vessels, commercially produce and/or outfit ferries and vessels in the region.
The small sophisticated builder of high-speed ferry boats and special purpose vessels, Brødrene Aa is looking to grow internationally and seeks sales, service and outfitting support. Goltens’ global network, Middle East market know-how, fully established workshops and access to supply chain structures makes the companies a perfect match for one another.
Goltens Dubai has been interested in adding vessel building to its repair, service and outfitting offerings for some time, but needed to find the right partner and product to go forward with. They feel they’ve found it in Brødrene Aa.
Brødrene Aa’s state-of-the-art solutions and ability to construct vessels that can sustain inclement conditions is on full display in recent project such as the "Øyvakt" monohull ambulance vessel. "Øyvakt" serves almost the entire Norwegian coastal strip between Kristiansund and Trondheim, which is exposed to harsh weather on a regular basis. While the route is challenging, "Øyvakt"’s navigation and manoeuvring qualities are ready to meet the obstacles along the way. Another example is the passenger catamaran Tidebaronen, which was just delivered to Tide Sjø and serves a high-frequency passenger route in the Oslo Fjord. This catamaran model has proven to be very profitable for shipowners.
Though the ship hulls for this cooperation will initially be built in Norway, Goltens’ technical capability, facilities and workforce in the Middle East means that some vessel production could take place locally down the line as well.
According to the conditions of the MOU, Goltens Dubai and Brødrene Aa will use this 12-month period to engage in discussions with potential customers, define market potential and agree to the roles that each party will play in the proposed business venture, along with putting together a marketing concept going forward.
