Saudi Aramco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC), Sumitomo Corporation to look at the possibility of building a steel mill in the Ras al-Khair area.
Saudi Aramco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC), Sumitomo Corporation to look at the possibility of building a steel mill in the Ras al-Khair area.
The MoU will see the companies conduct a feasibility study for an integrated steel mill to produce steel plates in the Ras al-Khair area.
The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz A. Al Abdulkarim, Saudi Aramco vice president of Procurement and Supply Chain Management; Atsushi Iijima, management executive officer of NSSMC; Kazunari Sakata, corporate officer of Sumitomo Corporation; and Masashi Abe, managing director of Sumitomo Corporation Saudi Arabia. The signing was witnessed by Ahmad A. Al Sa’adi, Saudi Aramco senior vice president of Technical Services, and senior executives from all parties.
“Saudi Aramco is pleased to sign this MoU, which will enhance the local supply chain supporting Saudi Aramco and others in the Kingdom,” said Al Sa’adi. “The presence of the new steel mill will reduce costs, delivery time, and offer better customer service to the local market.”
This project is in support of the iktva program, which is designed to increase the local content in Saudi Aramco’s supply chain. Steel plate production goes into the manufacturing of pipes, pressure vessels, marine vessels, offshore platforms, and infrastructure, among other applications.
This collaboration enhances the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan and will support Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: Pipeline ME
