Saudi Arabia donated two passenger ferries to Egypt on Friday during a visit by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, two years after an Egyptian-owned passenger ferry caught fire and sank off the Red Sea. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, along with Mubarak, attended the ceremony held at the Jeddah Islamic Seaport to launch the two super ferries named Al-Riyadh and Al-Qahirah. The two leaders were received at the port by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, Prince Mesh'al Bin Majid Bin Abdul Aziz, Mayor of Jeddah, Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance, and Jubarah Al-Suraisri, Minister of Transport. The ferries cost $900 million each, according to an article published in an Arabic daily on Friday. Al-Assaf said in his speech the inauguration of the two vessels represents a qualitative leap and an establishment of a new phase in marine transport between the two countries, as the current 8-hour trip between Dheba and Safaja ports will be about two hours shorter once two ferries start operation. They will contribute in transporting about 1 million passengers every year, he added. “I have been honored to receive the King's order to have two ships manufactured according to the latest international specifications in terms of quality and safety as soon as possible,” he said. “The contracting then was made for two catamaran aluminum double-hull super ferries – each one is 88 meters tall, 24 meters width, and a top speed of 37 nautical knots. The storage capacity in these vessels is 555 tons; 1,220 passengers and 200 small cars. They are equipped with the latest engines compatible with environmental and economical concerns, in addition to an advanced control system that reduces vibrations during sailing. Each one also has services, prayer areas, and an elevator for old and special needs people.” The finance minister said after coordination with officials in Egypt, the two ships crews were sent to the headquarter of the manufacturer where they finished their training on managing and maintaining this kind of super boats, and participated in tests done on them. Al-Assaf thanked the Royal Marine Forces of Saudi Arabia for providing protection for the two boats until they arrived in Saudi territorial waters. He also thanked Austal of Australia, manufacturer of the two ships, that did the job in one year and a half, instead of the two years as stated in the contract.
