Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry) said it is playing a key role in the security of the kingdom with the fast-track construction of four accommodation barges for Bahrain's Coastguard.

The company beat off intense competition from shipyards in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to secure the barge newbuilding contract, with the Hidd-based shipyard securing this prestigious order due to its competitive price, design and construction period.

The contract was awarded at the beginning of May, with the first two barges launched at the end of that month and handover to the Coastguard taking place in the first week of June.

All four barges, designed in-house by Asry's team of naval architects, have a length of 37m, a width of 12m, a depth of 2.45m and are designed for a deck loading of 10 metric tonnes.

Accommodation is provided for 13, comprising a commanding officer and 12 crew in two cabin modules.

Each barge features a dedicated boat docking station in the form of a cut-out of the hull, allowing for the berthing of a high-speed Coastguard patrol boat.

The accommodation barges will be anchored in strategic positions around Bahrain where dhow traffic enters the kingdom's territorial waters, providing an enhanced level of maritime safety and security.-TradeArabia News Service