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As part of an ongoing equipment enhancement programme designed to cater to the needs of its growing customer base, the Port of Salalah recently acquired and commissioned a new pilot boat, Najm 2. The new vessel will join the Omani hub’s existing pilot boat, Najm 1, to assist in marine operations.
Najm 2, built by Damen Shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, is a high speed vessel, with a state of the art navigation system fitted with special propeller tunnels to increase propulsion efficiency, reduce draft, vibration and noise levels. Najm 2, which became operational earlier this month, has been added to the fleet of existing boats in order to enable the increase of work flow and efficiency.
As the largest private sector employer in the Dhofar Governorate, the Port of Salalah has a long-standing commitment to develop and train the local Omani workforce. In line with this policy, the entire pilot boat crew are Omani nationals, having been trained and certified to operate these vessels.
According to Andrew Dawes, chief executive of the Port of Salalah, “The introduction of this new pilot boat, coming shortly after the recent commissioning of a new tug, underlines our commitment to the business in Salalah. These investments are the first part of a long-term equipment renewal and deployment plan developed by the port to proactively address the evolving changes in the shipping industry, customer and vessel profile.”
