Abu Dhabi shipbuilder’s huge floating drydock up and running at Mina Zayed

The company's first such facility enables it to expand its services and work with vessels that were previously too big for it to handle at its Mussafah base.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building's new floating drydock at Mina Zayed is 180 metres long, 30 metres wide and employs robots for hull work. Courtesy : ADSB

Abu Dhabi Ship Building has opened its floating dry dock facility at Mina Zayed, the first such facility at the port, as it looks to expand its commercial service offering.

“The addition of the floating drydock contributes to our commitment to expand our service offering, strengthening our local maritime services and industries, and delivering on the large scale goal of Abu Dhabi’s continued economic diversification,” said Khaled Al Mazrouei, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB).

The new floating drydock adds to the company’s service capabilities, allowing ADSB to service ships that were previously too large to be handled at its headquarters in Mussafah. The new facility allows ADSB to dock vessels up to 180 metres in length, almost the length of two football pitches, and 30 metres wide. The floating dock has received its first customer to undergo routine drydocking, electrical and mechanical works at the port.

ADSB said the new floating dock offers a myriad of services including structural steel, mechanical, pipe and electrical repairs, state-of-the-art hull treatment with the aid of robotic machines and tank-coating work.

With the addition of the floating dock, ADSB is looking to expand its customer base through the new service. The facility now enables the company to service the oil and gas industry and it aims to attract new customers across diverse industries through a network of agents representing 16 countries across Europe and Asia who will market the new facility, it said.

ADSB provides construction, repair and refit services for naval, military and commercial vessels. Established in 1996, ADSB was originally formed to support the repairs and refits of UAE Navy vessels. Joint ventures and service agreements enable the company to provide support services to GCC maritime security forces.

ADSB is 10 per cent owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, 40 per cent by Mubadala Development, and 50 per cent publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange. The company employs more than 1,000 people.

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