AD Ports Group is further expanding its European shipbuilding footprint through the acquisition of shipyards, strengthening its strategic position in the offshore wind farm maintenance vessel sector.
AD Ports announced that its subsidiary, Noatum Maritime’s Safeen Drydocks, has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Astilleros Balenciaga shipyard for €11.2 million (approximately US$13.12 million). This acquisition aligns with AD Ports’ strategic focus on high-value maritime assets, with offshore wind power being a key area of development for the group.
It is understood that Astilleros Balenciaga, located in the Basque Country of Spain, is a shipyard with nearly a century of experience in shipbuilding and repair, and has now been renamed Balenciaga Shipyard.
Balenciaga Shipyard is equipped with two dry docks, a 105-meter slipway, over 22,000 square meters of automated machining and production workshops, and dedicated cutting and fabrication sections. Renowned for constructing complex vessels and prefabricated offshore structures, it stands among Spain’s few shipyards with proven experience in building SOVs, research vessels, offshore support vessels, and specialized tugboats.
With the growth of offshore wind power capacity, particularly in Northern Europe, market demand for SOVs is projected to surge significantly. Balenciaga Shipyard’s strategic location grants AD Ports Group direct access to the North Sea and broader European markets, positioning it competitively for newbuild and conversion projects related to offshore wind operations.
Currently, Balenciaga Shipyard has a backlog of several specialized shipbuilding projects, and is expected to create over 50 technical positions as business volume increases. In addition to serving international partners, the shipyard will also meet the construction and repair needs of Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s own fleet.