JSC NC ‘KazMunayGas’ and Abu Dhabi Ports Company have signed a strategic partnership agreement for cooperation in the development of the marine fleet and coastal infrastructure in the Caspian and Black Seas.
The agreement was signed during the visit of Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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According to the document, the parties will create a joint venture based at the Astana International Financial Center to provide marine services for oil and gas projects in the Caspian Sea. The parties intend to participate in the JV through the subsidiaries, NMSC Kazmortransflot LLP and International Maritime Investments.
Under the Agreement, the parties will create a fleet to support offshore projects in the Caspian Sea (shallow-draft vessels of various types), as well as a tanker fleet, taking into account the development of alternative routes for the Kazakh oil exports (through the port of Aktau in the direction of Azerbaijan).
In addition, the JV members will explore opportunities for creating a merchant fleet: the construction/purchase of container ferries (transit from China to Europe using the Trans-Caspian route) and dry cargo ships to participate in the transportation of break-bulk cargo using the north-south route (Russia – Iran).
“The signing of the strategic partnership agreement between our companies will make a significant contribution to enhanced joint cooperation. Within the framework of this agreement, a joint venture is being created, which will be actively involved in the Kazakh investment projects in Kazakhstan starting this year. We hope to use Abu Dhabi Ports’ experience in servicing projects for the development of offshore oil-and-gas fields and transportation-and-logistics projects in Kazakhstan”, Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC KazMunayGas said.