Major new ship and offshore repair yard to be built in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al-Khair SEZ will feature a major new ship and offshore repair yard in the Arabian Gulf (Source: Ras Al Khair SEZ)
Saudi Arabia’s planned Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is to feature a major ship and offshore repair facility, as well as a shipbuilding yard. The new repair yard will be aimed at repairing VLCCs, offshore jack-up rigs and offshore support vessels, and once operational will be a major competitor to Bahrain’s ASRY. Ras Al-Khair SEZ is currently seeking local and foreign investors to help boost the Kingdom’s maritime infrastructure.
With an initial area of 20km2, the Ras Al-Khair SEZ will be operated by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and is an expanding zone with two focus areas – the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services, and the Offshore Cluster Supply Chain. The SEZ is located next to Ras Al-Khair Port, Saudi Arabia’s newest industrial port.
Ahmed M. Hassan, CEO of Ras Al-Khair City for Mining Industries, said: “Ras Al-Khair SEZ is transforming into a key global hub for strategic investments with its rapid growth and unique position at the centre of the Arabian Gulf, raising its economic importance in the Kingdom and wider region, but also across the global maritime and offshore cluster industries. Local and foreign investors will not only gain access to the largest and most technically advanced shipyard and fully integrated Offshore Cluster in the Middle East and North Africa region, but will also find the facilities and materials they need to build the maritime capabilities of the future.”
Hassan continues: “Whether it is building new ships, developing innovative technology and materials, or maintaining, repairing and overhauling existing vessels such as offshore support ships, jack-up rigs or very large crude oil carriers, Ras Al-Khair SEZ offers a globally recognised marine ecosystem to facilitate that.”
A key joint venture with the International Maritime Industries (IMI), Saudi Engines Manufacturing Co (MAKEEN) and offshore oil and gas specialist McDermott is set to propel the region’s maritime focus, especially in the areas of ship and offshore repair and maintenance.
