Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones, has signed an agreement with NMDC Energy, a subsidiary of National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC), to establish a new manufacturing facility in KEZAD.
The 50-year lease agreement, signed at the Make It In The Emirates Forum 2024, involves an investment of US$100 million by NMDC Energy. This investment will fund a 224,000 sqm facility dedicated to modular fabrication.
The new project will provide significant strategic benefits to the regional oil and gas sector, offering world-class engineering, procurement, project management, fabrication, installation, and commissioning services to project owners and operators. The facility is expected to create approximately 3,000 new jobs.
“NMDC Energy is a distinguished name in the marine engineering and fabrication industry, and we welcome its new facility to our industrial ecosystem. As the UAE’s premier industrial and economic zones, KEZAD Group is continuously working to advance the country’s energy, logistics, and marine engineering services. In keeping with the vision of our wise leadership, KEZAD Group is always striving to bolster the UAE’s marine sector by supporting the expansion of national assets like NMDC in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” stated Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group.
Moreover, NMDC Energy currently operates advanced fabrication facilities in Abu Dhabi, capable of producing up to 100,000 tonnes of structural steel annually over an area of 1.3 million square meters.
Additionally, NMDC is expanding its capabilities with a new 450,000 square meter fabrication yard in Ras Al Khair port, Saudi Arabia, which will have a projected capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year by 2026.
The company also owns a fleet of 22 offshore vessels, equipped with modern facilities to support shallow and deep-water operations, capable of lifting structures weighing up to 4,200 tonnes, and laying subsea cables and pipelines up to 66 inches in diameter in water depths ranging from 10 to 2,000 meters.
The Make It In The Emirates Forum, organized by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), serves as a valuable networking and knowledge exchange platform for the industrial community, both locally and internationally.
The event brings together decision-makers, government and private sector officials, experts, entrepreneurs, financing entities, investors, startups, and SMEs to showcase investment opportunities within the local industrial sector.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone for NMDC Energy as we deepen our commitment to the UAE’s industrial growth and sector innovation. The establishment of this new modular fabrication facility at KEZAD represents not just a significant investment; it mirrors our commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision of becoming a global industrial powerhouse. We are eager to introduce new capabilities to our company, incorporating advanced technologies and processes that are shaping the future of the oil and gas industry. These advancements will not only elevate our service offerings but also significantly contribute to the nation’s economic diversification,” commented Ahmed Al Dhaheri, CEO of NMDC Energy.
