The Turkish shipbuilding company, ARES Shipyard, is preparing to establish two shipyards in Saudi Arabia. The company officially announced that it will begin investments in Saudi Arabia with a local partner.
Founded 20 years ago in the Antalya Free Zone by Kerim Kalafatoğlu, ARES Shipyard stands out particularly for its production of high-speed boats, attack boats, coast guard and patrol vessels for military and security purposes.
To establish company with Saudi Partner
ARES Shipyard plans to establish a new company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the name ARES Naval. ARES CEO Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı stated to Breaking Defense that the company will implement this initiative together with its local Saudi partner, Sat-el Arab.
Two shipyards to be established
Pehlivanlı stated :
“Our goal is to establish two shipyards for ARES Naval in Saudi Arabia: one in Dammam and the other in Jeddah. Our ultimate aim is to have two shipyards dedicated to the production of offshore platforms and also to provide maintenance, repair, and modernization (MRO) support to the end user.”
Majority Shareholding to be Held by the Turkish Side
Pehlivanlı stated that ARES will hold the majority of shares in the newly established company. He said that ARES Shipyard will focus particularly on the new Saudi Arabia-based company and working with the government, emphasizing cooperation with the Saudi maritime company Sofon. He stated that Sofon is the main contractor responsible for the Saudi Navy and Coast Guard’s maritime projects.
Discussions Underway with Qatar Coast Guard
ARES also announced that it is conducting various discussions for new investments in the Gulf. The company’s ULAQ vehicle can be used in combating irregular migration and in search and rescue missions for refugees, and for this purpose, it has automatically detachable life raft systems. The company also announced that it is in talks with the Qatar Coast Guard for larger versions of ULAQ.
