SAFEEN Drydocks, the shipbuilding and repair arm of Noatum Maritime, has added a 230-metre floating dock to its facilities at Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, the company announced on 7 September 2026.
The installation is intended to broaden the yard’s drydocking capacity and to handle both ocean-going commercial vessels and rig repair projects. SAFEEN said the new unit will enhance its ship repair, maintenance and refurbishment offering while providing improved turnaround flexibility.
The floating dock expands the options available at Zayed Port for owners and managers requiring mid‑ and major‑scale work without transferring vessels to larger regional shipyards. SAFEEN’s announcement framed the dock as a means of increasing the yard’s ability to schedule and execute repairs alongside existing infrastructure.
As the shipbuilding and repair subsidiary of Noatum Maritime, SAFEEN Drydocks has positioned the investment as part of a wider commitment to strengthen local repair capability. The company described the dock as suitable for ocean‑going commercial tonnage and platform maintenance, signalling an intent to serve both merchant shipping and offshore support markets.
Details of the new dock
The unit measures 230 metres in length and is located within Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi. SAFEEN has described the structure as capable of handling rig repair projects in addition to conventional vessel drydocking, a combination that the yard says will increase operational flexibility.
No technical figures beyond the dock’s length and intended roles were included in the company’s statement. The announcement focused on the operational benefits the facility will bring to repair and refurbishment workflows at SAFEEN’s Abu Dhabi site.
Operational and market implications
By enlarging its afloat repair capacity, SAFEEN aims to reduce scheduling bottlenecks and shorten vessel idle time awaiting berths or specialised facilities. The yard said the additional dock will provide owners and operators with more options for planned maintenance and unscheduled repairs in the UAE.
The presence of a floating dock of this size in Abu Dhabi may also support rig owners seeking near‑region repair capability. SAFEEN’s note linked the dock explicitly to rig repair projects, indicating the yard intends to attract work from a mix of commercial and offshore sectors.
SAFEEN’s announcement did not quantify expected throughput or project turnaround times. The company emphasised flexibility and an expanded service offering rather than specific productivity or capacity targets.
The addition of the 230‑metre floating dock at Zayed Port represents a targeted capacity increase for SAFEEN Drydocks. The move reflects the yard’s stated aim of enhancing its repair, maintenance and refurbishment services for a varied customer base operating in and beyond the Arabian Gulf.
Standfirst: SAFEEN Drydocks has installed a 230-metre floating dock at Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, to expand capacity for ocean-going vessels and rig repairs and to improve turnaround flexibility.