Government

RAK Ports has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APT Global, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s industrial growth strategy and reinforcing its ambitions in large-scale project cargo and heavy-lift logistics.

The agreement is supported by Saqr 2.0, RAK Ports’ greenfield port development designed to accommodate sustained regional growth and next-generation industrial expansion.

AED 50 million fabrication facility

Under the MoU, APT Global will invest approximately AED 50 million to develop a 700,000 square foot fabrication facility within RAK Maritime City Free Zone. The expansion will increase the company’s footprint in Ras Al Khaimah to approximately 2 million square feet.

The new facility will enable APT Global to diversify into offshore fabrication, renewables, shipbuilding, and oil and gas sector construction, targeting export markets in Europe, the United States, and Far East Asia.

Direct deepwater and heavy-lift access

The fabrication yard will benefit from direct access to deepwater berths, dedicated logistics corridors, and quayside-adjacent assembly areas — an operational advantage that is rarely available in the region.

Designed to export high volumes of oversized and out-of-gauge structures, the facility aligns with Saqr 2.0’s heavy-lift and project cargo ecosystem.

Key infrastructure advantages include:

1. Approximately 14-metre draft access

2. Nearly 65 million square feet of Free Zone land within a 4 km radius

3. 50-metre-wide unobstructed road corridors linking plots directly to port

4. Strategically located assembly pads within 500 metres of the port

These capabilities enable single shipments of up to 35,000 metric tonnes, supporting large-scale industrial exports.

Strategic vision for industrial growth

Roy Cummins, CEO of RAK Ports, said the agreement underscores the emirate’s ambition to position itself as a leading hub for project cargo logistics.

“Saqr 2.0 unlocks projects with single shipments of approximately 35,000 metric tonnes via our heavy-lift pad and 50-metre road corridors from plot to port,” he said. “This project demonstrates the scale and ambition of our vision to attract global partners and set new benchmarks for project cargo and large-scale manufacturing in the region.”

Anil Abraham, CEO of APT Global, described the MoU as a strategic milestone reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the UAE.

“The Saqr Port 2.0 facility strengthens our scale, ESG-led capabilities, and ability to deliver complex projects to global standards, while directly supporting the ‘Made in Emirates’ vision and the UAE’s industrial and sustainability ambitions,” he said.

The partnership reflects Ras Al Khaimah’s broader strategy to attract advanced manufacturing, enhance export capabilities, and strengthen its position within global supply chains.

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