Yekaterinburg, Russia — Russian shipbuilding companies are exploring joint manufacturing projects with Saudi Arabia to strengthen Russian Saudi shipbuilding cooperation ties and advance the Kingdom’s maritime ambitions. The announcement came during INNOPROM 2025, held in Yekaterinburg from July 7 to 10, where Saudi Arabia is the official partner country.
Anton Alikhanov, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, confirmed that several Russian firms are interested in expanding into Saudi Arabia. These include Imperium, known for producing electric twin-hull boats, and the Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoil Vessels “R.E. Alekseev.”
Russian Saudi Shipbuilding Cooperation Targets Assembly Projects
Alikhanov explained that Russian companies are actively developing shipbuilding equipment and components. He stressed that Saudi Arabia offers significant opportunities for collaboration, including the possibility of building assembly plants for ships and marine equipment.
“Shipbuilding is a promising sector for cooperation,” Alikhanov stated. He highlighted Russia’s capabilities in advanced marine technologies, ship design, and electric vessel manufacturing. He said these projects could help accelerate Saudi Arabia’s plans to expand its shipbuilding capacity and promote sustainable maritime development.
This initiative aligns with Vision 2030, which prioritizes the growth of the Saudi maritime industry, the expansion of local manufacturing, and the transfer of advanced technologies to the Kingdom.
INNOPROM 2025
The INNOPROM 2025 exhibition is a key platform for strengthening Russia-Saudi industrial cooperation. The event allows Russian firms to connect with trade representatives from 37 countries, creating new manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure opportunities.
There is also growing interest in electric boat manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, particularly from companies like Imperium. These projects support Saudi Arabia’s green maritime initiatives while aligning with global trends toward low-emission transportation.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Maritime Partnerships Advance Saudi Shipbuilding Goals
The strengthening Russian Saudi shipbuilding cooperation highlights both nations’ shared interest in boosting local manufacturing and maritime capabilities. By launching joint assembly projects, Saudi Arabia can access Russian expertise while developing domestic shipbuilding capacity and green marine technologies.
These efforts also support Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to grow its maritime industry, achieve industrial self-sufficiency, and become a regional hub for sustainable vessel production.
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