Remembering Rimthan-2
A legend remembered: Rimthan-2 retired
Aramco retires iconic Ju’aymah work vessel after more than 40 years.
Aramco has marked the retirement of an iconic work vessel that has faithfully served in the its fleet for more than 40 years.
The Rimthan-2 — named after the Bedouin guide Khamis bin Rimthan — was built in 1979 at the Ishikawajima Shipyard in Japan. She entered service with Aramco the same year.
The offshore multipurpose vessel was built to fulfill a multitude of tasks at sea. Equipped with diving capabilities, the vessel supported the operation and maintenance of Ju’aymah Terminal’s six single point mooring buoys around the clock, ensuring there was no interruption to crude oil exports.
Gone but not forgotten
“Gone but not forgotten” is most likely a phrase people across the globe will use when the COVID-19 pandemic ends. This turn of phrase was especially relevant to Marine Department employees on Dec. 31 as they celebrated the retirement of the sturdy vessel.
Aramco faced the challenging task of finding a vessel with capabilities similar to Rimthan-2, but with the inclusion of the latest technologies, safety enhancements, and improved operational parameters. This was an exceptionally difficult task during the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, with a limited number of vessels present in the market that were able to support operational and mobilization requirements.
New vessel takes to the sea
An offshore supply ship, Zamil-601, was identified and procured through a local contractor, Zamil Offshore Services Company, and the vessel underwent major modifications at a shipyard in Dammam including added fittings to increase deck loading capacity, alterations to improve ship stability, and adding a heave compensation crane.
Zamil-601 was also fitted with a Class-1 firefighting system to enhance the Marine Department’s emergency response capabilities with a small, remotely operated onboard crane to pick up hoses from the water.
Zamil-601 features a crew that works in a variety of roles, including navigation, deck operations, engineering, diving, and catering. It also operates an offshore medical clinic, with emergency care and first-aid response facilities and an ability to communicate directly with shore-based physicians when needed.
The success story of the young Zamil-601 replacing the experienced Rimthan-2 is a reminder that change is inevitable, and while it is difficult, it is a testament to the Marine Department's positive attitude by anticipating change and planning for it.
Rimthan-2 is being prepared to be sold — along with other retiring Aramco-owned vessels as part of the Marine Department’s strategy to replace its aging fleet — with an expected handover to future owners during the second quarter of 2021.
The Marine Department is a vital part of Aramco's Industrial Services organization. The department has a reliable fleet of vessels to provide an assortment of services to support the exploration, production, and transportation of oil in and around Aramco's offshore concession areas.