Late last week, Drydocks World, which owns the largest shipyard in the Middle East, announced it was in talks with Lürssen for joint projects. That announcement was apparently presumptuous, as Lürssen issued a statement today stating no agreement exists, and that it is “surprised and displeased by the press releases and the content.”
The dispute stems from a meeting that took place last week. Then, representatives from Drydocks World and Lürssen both attended SMM, an international trade fair in Hamburg, Germany that is focused on shipbuilding, machinery, and marine technology. Drydocks World issued a press release on September 7 stating that “constructive talks” took place regarding naval projects as well as megayachts. In fact, most of the press release focused on yachts. “The plan is form a joint set up at the Dubai Maritime City (DMC) facility to cooperate in the yacht repair business,” it reads. “DMC is already an established centre for yacht repair, repairing over 60 yachts annually.” Khamis Juma Buamin, the chairman of Drydocks World (pictured at a conference in April), further stated that working with Lürssen would bolster DMC’s position as a megayacht service and maintenance facility.
Lürssen strongly denies Drydock World’s assertions. In its statement, it asserts that only “a friendly conversation, at the request of Drydocks World, of a very general nature” took place:
“Lürssen has no plans to cooperate in general with Drydocks World in Dubai for the repair and maintenance of navy ships or yachts and no agreement relating to such work has been reached or agreed. Lürssen has no intention to form a joint setup with Drydocks World in the Dubai Maritime City facility.
“In the conversation held, it was only stated that in the event that a client expresses the special wish to have his yacht repaired at Drydocks World, then the parties would discuss this specific project at the appropriate time.”
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