Nine maritime companies in the United Arab Emirates have formed the country's first national shipbuilders consortium to strengthen shipbuilding, repair and marine engineering capabilities. The newly launched Consortium of UAE Shipbuilders brings together companies involved in shipbuilding, fabrication, steel production, marine engineering and vessel repair under a unified platform.
Founding members include AD Ports Group, SAFEEN Drydocks, Dubai Shipbuilding & Engineering, Al Seer Marine, Dutch Oriental, JOME Engineering, Saifee, Blue Gulf Ship Builders and MBK Marine Industries. The consortium will operate as a unified industry platform covering shipbuilding, vessel repair, fabrication and marine engineering with a focus on improving coordination across the sector. Industry players said the platform aims to improve visibility on project pipelines, streamline procurement and create a more coordinated approach to executing projects across the UAE maritime sector.
The consortium is expected to enable smaller UAE-based shipyards and marine contractors to participate in larger and more technically demanding projects that may previously have been out of reach. Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group's maritime and shipping division, will lead the consortium. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group chief executive of AD Ports Group, said strengthening alignment across the sector enables greater scale, enhances competitiveness and positions the UAE to play a more prominent role in global maritime trade and manufacturing.
The consortium launch comes as Gulf countries continue investing heavily in maritime infrastructure, offshore energy support and industrial diversification projects. Noatum Maritime already operates shipbuilding and repair activities in the UAE through SAFEEN Drydocks, a joint venture with Premier Marine Engineering Services. The company has also expanded internationally through the acquisition of Spain's Balenciaga Shipyard.
The new platform is designed to enhance the UAE's competitiveness in regional and international shipbuilding projects and expand the country's maritime industrial base. Consortium members will collaborate on joint procurement, project coordination and technical standard alignment.
Key Takeaways:
1. Nine UAE maritime companies formed the country's first national shipbuilders consortium
2. AD Ports Group, SAFEEN Drydocks, Dubai Shipbuilding and Al Seer Marine among founding members
3. Noatum Maritime will lead the consortium
4. Platform will enable smaller shipyards to access larger projects
5. Consortium launch aligns with Gulf maritime infrastructure investment surge
