Drydocks World positions itself to power the future of maritime repair
Powering the future of maritime repair
As global shipping faces rapidly shifting demands and mounting pressure to decarbonise, Drydocks World is positioning itself as a key player in the transition. The company’s approach combines technical expertise with a forward-looking strategy, and its performance in the first quarter of 2025 clearly indicated that commitment in action, says Rado Antolovic, Chief Executive Officer.
Rado Antolovic, Chief Executive Officer at Drydocks World
In less than four months, the yard completed more than 50 drydocking and repair projects, each one a reflection of its scale, diversity and technical depth. Among the highlights is the successful delivery of six out of eight pre-assembled units (PAUs) for a production and wellhead platform on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. This is the kind of work that demands more than engineering expertise. It requires seamless coordination across disciplines, strict adherence to deadlines and decades of offshore experience. Drydocks World delivered.
That same versatility was on full display in the range of vessels serviced. While tankers and containerships accounted for a major part of total ship repair volume, the list also included a wide range of vessels, including dredgers, cruiseships, jack-up rigs, naval ships and even a yacht. Some projects were straightforward, focusing on routine class survey repairs.
Broad work spectrum
A heavy-lift pipe layer arrived for machinery overhauls and departed with a newly-installed pedestal crane. Two jack-up rigs underwent major maintenance works on drilling equipment. The cruiseships underwent a full spectrum of work, including propulsion system servicing, steel and piping repairs, hull coatings, interior refurbishments and hotel-side upgrades. Every task was executed with meticulous planning and completed on schedule to return the vessels to service without delay.
Efficiency upgrades
Environmental responsibility is a central focus at Drydocks World. In the first quarter of 2025, the company implemented a series of efficiency upgrades designed to support long-term operational performance and align with tightening regulatory standards. These measures included the use of next-generation propellers, silicone-based hull coatings and redesigned bulbous bows.
Although technical in nature, the upgrades reflect a broader move toward cleaner and more future-ready fleets. This direction is particularly relevant for European operators who are facing increasingly strict emissions regulations.
Innovation is also shaping the company’s internal operations and workforce development. The roll-out of the IFS enterprise operating system has improved coordination and visibility across ongoing projects. At the same time, the launch of OneLearn, a digital training platform developed with Cornerstone, is modernising how technical knowledge is shared across teams. The platform includes structured learning modules along with virtual- and augmented-reality environments, helping Drydocks World prepare its workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving maritime sector.
New infrastructure
Then there is the infrastructure. In Q1, a new CH 320 CNC pipe bending machine was brought online, integrating CAD inputs, anti-collision logic, and spring-back correction to deliver precision along with a 5- 10% boost in productivity. Annual pipe output will now scale from 1.2 million to 1.5 million inch diameter. Add to that the newly-enhanced automatic shot blasting and priming line, on track to meet full IMO PSPC compliance by Q2, and it’s clear: this isn’t a yard standing still.
With a workforce of close to 18,000 professionals – 13,000 in-house and 5,000 subcontractors, Drydocks World is ready to take on complex projects and the speed to execute them efficiently. And it’s not slowing down. Major investments are underway: a 5,000-ton floating crane set for delivery in 2026, four new rail cranes, robotic hydro-blasters and enhanced fabrication zones. These upgrades signal a new chapter of capability and competitiveness.
Next generation sustainability
As Drydocks World heads to Nor-Shipping in June, it does so not just to showcase its achievements, but to engage global partners in shaping what comes next for sustainable, large-scale maritime engineering.
These developments reflect Drydocks World’s wider ambition to stay ahead of emerging demands in the European market and beyond. The company is exploring a broad set of technologies that align with global clean shipping goals. Among them are air lubrication systems, carbon capture solutions, hybrid battery installations and dual-fuel conversions. Rather than reacting to regulatory pressure, Drydocks World is proactively investing in and exploring solutions that will define the next generation of sustainable maritime operations.
Big ambitions
Drydocks World’s ambitions extend beyond the UAE. A recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding with India’s Cochin Shipyard signals a move toward regional growth, shared infrastructure development and new maritime opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. This agreement reflects a global strategy grounded in technical strength and long-term capability development.
Drydocks World continues to advance its role in the global maritime industry. With each project, the company is helping to define what modern ship repair and offshore engineering should look like. The focus remains on precision, purpose, and building for the future.
Read more like this in the Nor-Shipping issue of DryDock magazine
An aerial view of Drydocks World