Damaged vessel Stolt Valor docks at ASRY

ASRY has received the damaged vessel Stolt Valor, a chemical tanker that suffered a fire of the coast of Saudi Arabia in March this year. The vessel has been emptied of its cargo. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were the only two countries in the Arabian Gulf to offer the ship a port of refuge.

The Liberian chemical tanker arrived in convoy with Caribbean Fos, Pacific Typhoon, and Lamnalco Mesite. ASRY’s initial works will include a safety inspection prior to any further investigation to ensure the vessel has no outstanding safety concerns. She will then be transferred alongside for a detailed investigation to be carried out in conjunction with the owners to determine the best course of action going forward.

“We are committed to protecting the safety, security and environment of Arabian waters, to which the Stolt Valor posed a risk. Therefore, as the most experienced shipyard in the region, we see it as our duty to bring our 35 years of experience to bear on this challenging repair, where other yards were not willing.” Safety and security of ASRY personnel remains the yard’s highest priority, and ASRY’s renowned high standards will be met while undertaking all exploratory investigations,” “Most importantly,” Chris Potter, ASRY Chief Executive, said.

“We are satisfied with the overall operation which entailed the involvement and cooperation of numerous Government agencies in ensuring the smooth and successful passage of the vessel into Bahrain’s waters and ASRY. I myself visited the ship today as it docked in ASRY and am confident that the salvaging process will be carried out under the highest standards,” Hassan Ali Al Majed, the Director General of the General Organisation of Sea Ports, said.

The cause of the original explosion is still undetermined, and there was no spillage of fuel oil from the ship, nor any reported or visible spillage of cargo. Twenty four mariners were rescued by the USS John Paul Jones. The Kingdom of Bahrain was identified as the best destination for the Stolt Valor due to the technical capabilities of both the General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) as a regulator and supervisor of maritime safety and environmental matters in Bahrain, and of ASRY’s capabilities and expertise as a world renowned ship repair yard.