Abu Dhabi Ship Building Marks 30 Year

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has celebrated 30 years of excellence in advanced naval shipbuilding, marking three decades of innovation, growth, and regional leadership. The milestone was commemorated with a special event at ADSB’s shipyard in Abu Dhabi, attended by senior officials from the UAE Navy and Kuwait Naval Forces, leadership from EDGE Group, key partners, and distinguished guests from across the region.

The anniversary highlights ADSB’s remarkable achievements, including executing the region’s largest naval export contracts, delivering cutting-edge UAE-designed vessels, and operating one of the most sophisticated shipyards in the Middle East.

As part of the celebrations, ADSB launched its first Al-Dorra-class 62-metre vessel, AL NOUKHITHA, under a record-breaking deal subcontracted by EDGE Group to supply advanced missile boats to Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence — the largest naval export in the region’s history.

Khaled Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADSB, said: “ADSB represents one of the UAE’s greatest industrial achievements. Established just 25 years after the founding of our nation, ADSB now competes and delivers at the highest level on the global stage. The growth we have witnessed in recent years has been extraordinary — record revenues, landmark international contracts, and the commissioning of ships designed and built entirely in the UAE. This is a story of national vision and the unwavering support of our leadership in building sovereign capabilities that will serve our nation for generations to come.”

Founded in 1995, ADSB initially focused on maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for the UAE Navy before gradually expanding its shipbuilding capabilities. From its first landing craft in 2001 to the landmark Baynunah corvette programme and its first export contract with the Royal Navy of Oman, ADSB steadily earned a reputation as a reliable and capable shipbuilder. Today, the company operates a state-of-the-art 330,000-square-metre shipyard employing around 1,500 personnel, delivering complex naval programmes across the Middle East and beyond.