
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is a game-changer for the maritime industry. Located in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, this massive complex is set to revolutionize the way ships are built, repaired, and maintained.
Covering an area of 16 square kilometers, the complex will be a hub for global maritime excellence, providing a one-stop-shop for all maritime needs. It will be a place where shipowners and operators can find everything they need to keep their vessels in top condition.
The complex will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a massive shipyard, a repair yard, and a maintenance facility. It will also have a dedicated area for research and development, where experts can work on innovative solutions to improve maritime efficiency and safety.
Record Numbers and Ground Efforts
The sheer scale of the King Salman Complex is awe-inspiring, with 35 million cubic meters of land dredged and reclaimed. This massive undertaking required an enormous amount of resources.
A staggering 7.4 million square meters of soil were rehabilitated, a testament to the determination of the project's engineers and workers. The construction process was not without its challenges, however.
To protect the complex from the sea, 12 km of seawalls were built using a whopping 6 million tons of rock. This was no easy feat, but the end result was well worth the effort.
A 23-km-long marine canal was constructed, providing a vital waterway for the complex's operations. The canal's construction required precision engineering and careful planning.
The project's wharf was built using over 15,000 concrete blocks, each weighing a massive 70 tons. This is a staggering amount of material, and a testament to the complex's sheer scale.
Young Saudi engineers played a crucial role in the project, tackling unprecedented engineering challenges. They constructed a 14-meter-deep temporary dam, and drained 4 million cubic meters of water to prepare the dry docks.
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Strategic Partnerships and Economic Ambitions
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is a game-changer for the region, thanks to its strategic partnerships and grand economic ambitions. The project is guided by Saudi Aramco, which is overseeing the implementation of three major packages: dredging and backfilling, production facilities, and residential and administrative areas.
The International Maritime Industries Company, the project's strategic partner, is working towards a huge goal: building the largest fully-integrated marine dock in the Middle East and North Africa. This ambitious project is designed to support Vision 2030 and increase the industrial sector's contribution to the GDP.
The complex is not just a massive engineering project, but an integrated industrial platform that will support companies specializing in shipbuilding, offshore platform manufacturing, and rig maintenance.
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A Saudi Success Story
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is a true marvel of engineering and logistics. Saudi teams were able to install 250 km of pipelines, a testament to their exceptional skills.
A massive undertaking like this requires meticulous planning and execution. The complex established ready-mix concrete factories on-site, allowing for a seamless workflow.
The transportation of 6 million tons of rock from remote areas via 120,000 trips was a logistical feat in itself. This shows the complex's ability to adapt to challenging situations.
The complex's lifting capabilities reached world-class levels thanks to one of the largest cranes in the world, with a lifting capacity of up to 1,600 tons. This enabled the complex to implement the largest offshore projects.
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The Complex
The Complex is a marvel of modern engineering, featuring a vast shipyard with industrial buildings for manufacturing ship engines and maritime platforms and drilling rigs. The shipyard also includes a ship repair and maintenance area, as well as an area dedicated to maritime supply vessels.
The complex boasts a number of drydocks and special ship cranes for supply vessel repair and construction. One of these cranes is particularly impressive, with a lifting capacity of up to 1,600 tons.
The sheer scale of the complex is staggering, with Saudi teams installing 250 km of pipelines and transporting 6 million tons of rock from remote areas via 120,000 trips.
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International Center Inauguration

The King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services was inaugurated during the reign of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2016.
The complex was renamed from the Aramco Marine Industries Complex to the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services during the inauguration ceremony.
This significant event marked a new chapter in the complex's history, reflecting the country's commitment to maritime industries and services.
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International Facilities
The King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services is a massive facility with a vast shipyard that includes industrial buildings for manufacturing ship engines and maritime platforms and drilling rigs.
The complex has a ship repair and maintenance area, as well as an area dedicated to maritime supply vessels. It is comprised of a number of drydocks and special ship cranes for supply vessel repair and construction.
The complex's operational areas include seven drydocks and seventeen miscellaneous piers, distributed across four main areas. Area One is dedicated to repairing and maintaining vessels and drilling rigs, with three drydocks and twelve ship berths and workshops.
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Area Two consists of nine land berths, fully equipped vessel repair workshops, and a special area for maritime support vessels, with an estimated production capacity of twenty-five vessels and repair services for 115 maritime support vessels per year.
Area Three is the largest area in terms of space, dedicated to constructing commercial vessels, and facilitates the construction of all types of vessels utilizing modern production methods.
Area Four includes a dry dock for building drilling rigs with a loading capacity of up to ten thousand t, providing the capability to construct more than eleven fixed offshore platforms and four drilling rigs annually.
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The Complex in Saudi Arabia has a significant presence, with Ärk Global contributing to the KING SALMAN GLOBAL MARITIME INDUSTRIES COMPLEX.
Ärk Global's work on the complex included barge load-outs from the Port of Dammam to the project site in Ras Al-Khair.
Ärk experts in Saudi Arabia conducted a simultaneous project, which added to the complexity and scope of the operations.
Barge load-outs are a crucial part of the project, allowing for the efficient transportation of equipment and materials to the project site.
The Port of Dammam is a key location for the complex, serving as a major hub for the movement of goods and materials.
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New Developments
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is making significant strides in expanding its operations. New manufacturing areas are being established to support the production and assembly of maritime platforms and offshore structures.
These areas will be located in Ras al-Khair and are expected to become operational by the third quarter of 2023. The facilities will have a combined initial production capacity of approximately seventy thousand tons per year.
The establishment of these areas is expected to create a large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities. The target Saudization rate is up to 70 percent, aiming to provide opportunities for Saudi citizens.
Global Perspective
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is a game-changer for the maritime industry.
Located in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, the complex is a massive undertaking that will be a major hub for ship repair, maintenance, and new construction. It's a strategic location that will help reduce the time and cost of shipping goods in the region.
The complex will be a one-stop-shop for all maritime needs, with a total area of 20 million square meters. This massive space will house various facilities, including a dry dock, a ship repair yard, and a fabrication yard.
The complex is expected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region. It's a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to diversifying its economy and reducing its reliance on oil exports.
The complex will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and machinery, including a 5,000-ton crane and a 400-meter-long dry dock. This cutting-edge technology will enable the complex to handle even the largest ships.
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is a major investment in Saudi Arabia's future and a significant step towards becoming a global maritime leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the King Salman Maritime Yard project?
The King Salman Maritime Yard project is a large-scale industrial facility with five production areas, including offshore platforms, shipbuilding, and maintenance services. It's a significant maritime hub with diverse capabilities.
Which is the largest shipyard in Saudi Arabia?
The King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex is the largest shipyard in Saudi Arabia, offering a massive 1.37 million square meters of space for shipbuilding and repair. Located in Ras Al Khair, it's a major hub for maritime industries in the region.
Sources
- https://archup.net/king-salman-international-complex-for-maritime-industries-a-dream-come-true-on-the-shores-of-ras-al-khair/
- https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/project-journal-for-king-salman-global-maritime-industries-complex-in-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-163783446/163783446
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Salman_Global_Maritime_Industries_Complex
- https://saudipedia.com/en/article/613/economy-and-business/industry/king-salman-international-complex-for-maritime-industries-and-services
- https://metenders.com/project_cms/project/king-salman-global-maritime-industries-complex-project
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