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UAE boat builder Al Marakeb has entered new waters with the securing of a defence contract to supply Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to military and commercial organisations across the globe. The agreement, which sees Theyab International Group (“TIG”) becoming the company’s exclusive sales and marketing agency, marks the start of a new era for the region, with Al Marakeb as the first local boatyard to set up a production line for USVs.
Under the terms of the contract, Al Marakeb will supply vessels to be used in a number of maritime roles, with industry sectors including Oil & Gas, Ports & Customs, Critical National Infrastructure, Environmental, Marine Biology & Research, Hospitality & Leisure, Waterfront Development and Defence & Security. The company is using its expertise in unmanned craft to provide autonomous technology solutions in a growing sector that is estimated to be worth over USD$ 4 billion over the next five years in this region alone.
“The agreement that Al Marakeb has signed with TIG represents a number of firsts for the region. Not only are we the first local company to set up a production line of USVs, we are also the first to bring capable and reliable solutions for many problems experienced by maritime and coastal organisations, both in this part of the world and abroad,” said Basel Shuhaiber, Managing Director, Al Marakeb.
Al Marakeb’s boat designs have been deemed highly suitable for inshore and ports applications, with each USV adapted for the individual client’s requirements. The system is tailored for the relevant market, with the vessel’s final specification dependent upon its designated role and attendant mandatory licensing stipulations. Theyab International Group says that its new partnership with the company is one that will provide solutions for a broad range of industry sectors.
“In terms of advantages for clients, we are a local Defence & Security company with over 25 years’ experience in the sector. We know what the market needs and wants and we know how to deliver the requirements. Our new relationship with Al Marakeb sees us promoting the technology of a proven autonomous system that is integrated entirely in the UAE and installed onto the perfect carrying vessel,” said Khaled Al Alawi, Vice Chairman, TIG. .
Al Marakeb is keeping its USV model name undisclosed until it officially launches the vessel in January 2015, when companies and delegations will be invited by TIG to test its capabilities. It will also be demonstrating the craft at Theyab International Group’s stand at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), the largest defence exhibition in the world, which takes place at the ADNEC centre in Abu Dhabi on February 22-26, 2015. Held every two years, IDEX attracts over 90,000 visitors and more than 1,100 exhibitors.
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