NMDC Energy opens fabrication yard in Saudi Arabia

Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Energy has inaugurated an advanced fabrication yard in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, which will provide offshore facilities fabrication as well as onshore modularisation

The 400,000 sq m facility incorporates the latest fabrication processes, and is equipped with the latest features in automation and digitalisation. The fabrication yard will form part of a wider maritime and offshore cluster which is designed to support the energy industry. It is hoped that it will encourage industry by boosting growth, investment, trade, and employment within the Ras Al Khair region and beyond.

The yard was officially inaugurated at the iktva Forum & Exhibition 2025, which took place at the Dhahran Expo between 13 and 16 January 2025. The event showcased the Kingdom’s progress in localisation and saw the signature of 145 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at around US$9bn, which are expected to advance the localisation of goods and services in Saudi Arabia, boosting local content in the supply chain and fostering collaboration.

Important market

Saudi Arabia is an important market for NMDC Energy, accounting for 38% of its total revenue. The company has made a significant contribution to the Kingdom’s localisation efforts, entering into a long-term agreement for offshore development with Aramco in 2016, which includes a commitment to Saudi workforce development. The company plans to continue its support for localisation efforts to raise its iktva score of 39% in 2025 to 51% by 2028.

NMDC Energy H.E. Mohamed Hamad Ghanem Hamad Almehairi, chairman of NMDC Energy, said, “The inauguration of Ras Al Khair represents a bold and exciting new chapter for energy cooperation for both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which will bring vast tangible benefits to both nations. We’re proud that NMDC Energy will serve as an engine of economic development by powering priority industries, enabling businesses, and advancing solutions across the energy value chain. We foresee vast opportunities to collaborate and to pursue projects in areas that will maximise the value of the resources in both our nations, as well as ensure that the UAE and KSA remain leaders in the regional energy transition.”

Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, CEO of NMDC Group, added, “Saudi Arabia is pushing forward at a relentless speed to develop efficient, competitive, and responsive port and manufacturing ecosystems that will enhance the nation’s economic growth to ensure it keeps pace with global developments. At NMDC, we’re playing a pivotal role in these efforts, and we’re helping to strengthen UAE-KSA collaboration across vital sectors.”