International Maritime Industries (IMI), a maritime construction and repair company and the largest maritime facility in the Mena region, has commenced construction of a new offshore jack-up rig, Kingdom 3 for Aramco Rowan Offshore Drilling (ARO Drilling).

 

This follows a landmark agreement between the two companies and intended to further strengthen the two companies’ strategic partnership, which is redefining industry standards within Saudi Arabia and reinforcing the capabilities within the offshore maritime sector in the region.

 

IMI & ARO Drilling celebrated the commencement of construction for Kingdom 3 with a signing ceremony at the iktva Forum & Exhibition held in January at the Dhahran Expo. 

 

As the first drilling rig to be built in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom 3 rig represents a historic milestone for Saudi Arabia and an important operational step for IMI, furthering its goal of becoming a leading global offshore service provider and supporting the development and progress of Saudi Arabia's offshore industry sector in line with Vision 2030.

 

Wail Al-Jaafari, Chairman of the Board of IMI, said: "The commencement of construction of Kingdom 3 is a testament to our capabilities and our strategic vision to develop a reliable maritime supply chain in Saudi Arabia that serves the region and the entire world. This project not only highlights our capabilities and robust operations but also underscores our dedication to advancing Saudi Arabia's maritime industry in alignment with Vision 2030. By fostering sector growth and supporting economic diversification, we are contributing to the Kingdom's long-term prosperity and global competitiveness."

 

Abdulhameed Al-Dughaither, Chairman of the Board of ARO, said: “ARO Drilling is proud to deepen its collaboration with IMI through the construction of Kingdom 3, a project that underscores our commitment to pioneering excellence and driving forward the Kingdom's maritime ambitions. It embodies our joint dedication to empowering local expertise and developing the maritime industries sector in Saudi Arabia.”

 

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Chief Executive Officer of IMI, said: "Kingdom 3 marks a significant milestone in our mission to elevate local expertise and establish a thriving maritime industry in Saudi Arabia. We take pride in our enduring strategic partnership with ARO, as together we remain committed to developing a world-class maritime supply chain and delivering unmatched technical expertise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

 

Mohamed Hegazi, Chief Executive Officer of ARO Drilling, said: “As we move forward with the construction of Kingdom 3, our partnership with IMI remains instrumental in bringing advanced offshore capabilities to Saudi Arabia’s maritime landscape. This agreement reflects ARO Drilling’s commitment to operational excellence, technological advancement, and sustainable growth aligned with Vision 2030.”

 

The full operability of IMI’s 12 million-sq-m maritime facility in Ras Al-Khair will enable IMI to build up to six jack-up drilling rigs, 25 offshore support vessels, and 18 large commercial vessels per year, including chemical carriers, bulk carriers, product carriers, and Very Large Crude Carriers. Additionally, IMI will be capable of providing maintenance and repair services for up to 250 vessels and 15 rigs annually.  -TradeArabia News Service