Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region and a strategic affiliate of Mubadala, has announced that it is stepping up its focus on maintenance, repairs and overhauling services, which has been one of the fastest-growing business divisions of the company.


ADSB is currently showcasing its advanced MRO capabilities at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), the only specialized Maritime Defense exhibition in the Middle East being held from March 26 to 28, 2012 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Each year Abu Dhabi Ship Building handles approximately 300 repair and upgrade projects for vessels like tugs, barges, landing craft, dredgers, work boats, crew boats, diving vessels, supply and safety vessels and anchor handling tug boats. Most of these jobs involve dry docking, although some are carried out afloat and offsite.

Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ship Building, said: “We are keen on leveraging our vast expertise in MRO services with the increased focus on this domain. Our world-class shipbuilding and repair facility has given us a significant competitive edge in the regional market, as we are able to undertake new construction projects in steel, aluminum alloy or composite materials. During the ongoing DIMDEX exhibition we are targeting long-term contracts and strategic partnerships, taking advantage of the growing demand for specialized naval support services in the region. The event also serves as an important venue to showcase our unique capabilities, adding momentum to our growth plans in the region.”

Abu Dhabi Ship Building carries out daily maintenance and repair tasks for military clients in the UAE as well as foreign navies.  It has fleet maintenance contracts with the UAE Navy, UAE Coast Guard and the recently established Critical National Infrastructure Authority. It also has long-term fleet maintenance contracts with leading offshore fleet operators ESNAAD, which has recently signed a three-year rate-running contract worth AED 70 million, and IRSHAD. Other prominent clients include Boskalis, Van Oordz, Damen Marine Services, Al Seer Marine, Zakher Marine International, Khalid Faraj Shipping, NPCC, MARCAP and NMDC.

During DIMDEX, Abu Dhabi Ship Building also announced that the first and second vessels of the Baynunah Corvette Class Program will be delivered to the UAE Navy by the end of summer, while also highlighting the capabilities of the other vessels under construction, including the fourth vessel of the Baynunah project named “Mezyad” that was recently launched.

Undertaken at the world-class Abu Dhabi Ship Building facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, the Baynunah Corvette Class Program is the biggest warship construction program in the region consisting of six state-of-the-art warships for the UAE Navy. Each of the 72-metre highly-advanced corvettes can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and surveillance, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols. The Baynunah Corvettes Class’ key features include a stealthy-like superstructure, a helicopter landing deck and a hangar. The Corvettes will also be fitted with Anti-Ship Missiles, and air-defense missiles; 3D Surveillance, Navigation and Fire control Radars and a Multivendor electronic warfare suite.

Other high-profile projects of the company include the 34 High-Speed Interceptor vessels for the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA), and a project with the UAE Navy to build 12 and upgrade another 12 Ghanatha brand boats each measuring 27 meters.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building recently completed upgrade programs at the company’s facility, including the extension of the quay wall by about 155 meters, and the completion of a new pontoon and an electrical substation. The expansion program enables the company to accommodate more vessels for fit outs, tests and trials.

Meanwhile, the company recently opened environmentally friendly workshops as part of its continuing thrust to adhere to green building practices and support the sustainable development strategy of the government.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building also revealed that it has installed the ERP system across company operations, which has helped streamline and improve the efficiency and productivity of all departments. Moreover, the company is set to open a new building next month that will accommodate its administration offices.