Saudi Aramco inks first major contract for Gulf’s biggest shipyard

Saudi Aramco has signed a contract with a consortium compromising Saudi Archirodon and Huta Hegerfeld AG Saudi for dredging, reclamation, and marine structures for the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services in Ras Al-Khair.

The complex, inaugurated in November 2016 by King Salman, is set to be the largest shipyard in the Gulf region. It will offer vessel and rig maintenance, construction, repair, and overhaul services.

The initial phase of the latest contract will be completed by 2020. This will prepare the project’s land for subsequent construction of a dry dock, shipbuilding, and maintenance facilities.

The deal, which is the first major one for the complex, includes dredging and reclamation of approximately 37 million cubic meters of fill and ground improvement over an area of 7.4 million square meters.

This is in addition to the construction of 4,500 linear meters of concrete quay walls and wharves as well as 12,000 linear meters of rock revetments and breakwaters to protect the integrity of the complex.

“The Complex is in line with the Kingdom’s economic diversification objectives,” said Ahmed Al-Sa’adi, Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president for Technical Services.

He added that it will position the Kingdom as a strategic logistics hub and will create more job opportunities.

The company did not mention a value for the contract.