Safeen Drydocks lands record AED 1.3 bn vessel contracts

Safeen Drydocks has secured two vessel construction contracts worth a combined AED 1.3 bn — its largest awards to date — providing AD Ports Group’s shipbuilding arm with a substantial orderbook under its newly unified shipbuilding framework, according to a statement.

The details: The first contract covers the design and construction of four 140-meter multipurpose vessels for AD Ports Group. Each vessel will be capable of carrying up to 300 containers, more than 100 reefer plugs, high-and-heavy cargo, up to 1k vehicles, and 100 trailers. The contract covers 18 specialized marine support vessels for Nigeria’s Oilbank Logistics Services, including tugboats and pilot boats to support port operations, marine transportation, and offshore logistics.

Why this matters: The new order fits the group’s broader non-container fleet — which stood at 60 bulk, Ro-Ro, and multipurpose vessels at the end of 2025, according to the group’s financial release (pdf). The newbuilds would push the fleet segment to some 64 vessels.

The UAE is going all in on shipbuilding: AD Ports expanded the shipbuilder’s footprint through the EUR 11.2 mn acquisition of Spain’s Balenciaga Astilleros in January. The firm also {launched the Consortium} of UAE Shipbuilders in May — bringing together players across shipbuilding, vessel repair, fabrication, and marine engineering under Noatum Maritime’s coordination.