Technical prowess for emerging energy projects

June 6, 2025

Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s flagship FPSO projects for 2025 and its expanding EPC capabilities in support of offshore energy projects. Drydocks World provides services including ship and rig repair, maintenance, vessel conversions and upgrades, newbuild fabrication and comprehensive EPC solutions.

How is Drydocks World supporting the expansion in oil and gas production being led by ADNOC, KOC and Saudi Aramco?
Drydocks World plays a strategic and technically critical role in supporting the ongoing expansion of oil and gas production led by major energy companies, including valued partners such as ADNOC and others globally.
Leveraging our specialised infrastructure, advanced engineering services and proven expertise, Drydocks World consistently delivers complex offshore energy projects. We maintain strong EPC capabilities, ensuring efficient, integrated project execution.
Our strategic location in Dubai, near key offshore energy fields and along major maritime routes, ensures operational responsiveness and reduced transit times, strengthening our ability to support intensive regional energy activities. Additionally, our expertise in environmentally compliant vessel enhancements, emissions-reduction technologies and LNG-powered vessel upgrades further enhances our relevance to the operational needs of our clients.
Additionally, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted EPC partner through the successful execution of high-profile offshore projects. Drydocks World recently secured a major contract from MODEC to refurbish the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien and extend its operational life by 15 years offshore Côte d’Ivoire. The scope includes replacing more than 1,000 tonnes of steel, installing 11 kilometres of new piping and recoating 250,000 square metres of tank surfaces.
In parallel, we completed two highly complex and technically unique conversions for Eni’s Baleine Phase 2 project, also in Côte d’Ivoire. This includes the FPSO Petrojarl Kong, featuring a distinctive circular hull design with a 70-meter diameter – a rare configuration in the FPSO market – delivered within just 14 months. Additionally, the FSO Yamoussoukro was successfully converted from a shuttle tanker in only 11 months, demonstrating our ability to deliver accelerated timelines without compromising on quality or safety.
We have seen an influx of global oil companies exploring partnerships with Drydocks World. In parallel, we also work with leading technology providers such as Siemens, GE and Hitachi on renewable energy and energy transition projects. This dual capability, spanning both traditional oil and gas and emerging renewable sectors, uniquely positions us to support a broad spectrum of energy developments globally.

How is Drydocks World engaged in the energy transition and alternative fuels spaces?
At Drydocks World, we see the energy transition as both a responsibility and an opportunity. It is a responsibility to our industry, our clients and the environment, and it is an opportunity to lead through innovation and technical excellence.
Our involvement in offshore renewable energy reflects this commitment. We have delivered major projects such as DolWin 2, BorWin 3, and the Hollandse Kust Zuid Alpha and Hollandse Kust Zuid Beta platforms, which currently provide clean electricity to 4 million homes. Building on that foundation, we have commenced work in 2025 on the Ostwind 4 project, a 2-GW offshore wind grid connection, supporting Germany’s and wider European energy transition goals in partnership with GE Vernova.
The works on the UK’s Norfolk Vanguard East and West offshore wind platforms in partnership with Aker Solutions are well underway. When these projects become operational, the number of homes we help power with renewable energy will increase to 8 million.
At the same time, we are supporting the maritime industry’s shift toward alternative fuels. We have completed complex conversions of FPSOs such as Atlanta and Firenze, incorporating advanced carbon management systems, including closed flare technology and fuel gas monetisation.
Our work in emissions reduction is equally important. We have completed more than 40 scrubber retrofits and installed more than 300 ballast water treatment systems. These upgrades help vessel owners meet environmental regulations and reduce their operational impact.
We are also investing in partnerships that will shape the future of maritime sustainability. Our collaboration with HD Hyundai Marine Solution is focused on advancing next-generation maritime technologies. This includes engine retrofits for alternative fuels, support for advanced engine systems, spare parts provisioning and automation services.
Within our operations, we are committed to leading by example. We have reduced our carbon footprint by 64.6% through the use of renewable power and sustainable practices. A significant part of this achievement comes from procuring 100% green electricity from DEWA, generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
All of these efforts reflect our broader vision. We aim to provide practical, scalable solutions that help our clients meet their decarbonisation goals. Whether through renewable energy infrastructure, alternative fuel adoption or sustainable operational practices, Drydocks World is fully committed to supporting the global energy transition and delivering long-term value to the maritime industry.

You have recently taken on the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien for refurbishment. What trends are you seeing in the FPSO and FSO segments?
The FPSO and FSO segments are entering a period of strong growth, driven by the need to boost offshore production capacity and extend the lifecycle of existing assets. At Drydocks World, we are seeing increasing demand not just for refurbishment but also for full EPC support and new fabrication, particularly as operators look for partners who can deliver complex projects efficiently and at scale.
Over the past two years, we have delivered several high-profile FPSO projects. A notable example is the FPSO Atlanta, where we executed substantial upgrades that will enable the vessel to operate for an additional 15 years in Brazil’s Santos Basin.
Another key project currently underway is the refurbishment, upgrade and partial electrification of the FPSO Petrojarl Knar for Altera Infrastructure, in partnership with Aker Solutions. Built to endure harsh North Sea conditions, this compact yet highly engineered vessel will be deployed in the Rosebank field and is designed to remain in operation for more than 25 years without drydocking.
Beyond project delivery, we have been investing heavily in expanding our infrastructure and capabilities to meet the rising demand for large-scale offshore work. This includes the launch of our new 75,000-square-metre South Yard, which increases our fabrication area by 40% and boosts overall yard capacity by 25%. The expansion includes a 37,000-tonne load-out jetty and an extended 300-metre load-out and repair berth, allowing us to execute multiple major offshore projects in parallel.
We have also commissioned four state-of-the-art level-luffing jib cranes, each with a 50-tonne lifting capacity and 100-metre outreach, and continue to invest in heavy lift capacity, including a 2,000-tonne floating crane already in operation and a new 5,000-tonne sheerleg floating crane set for delivery in 2026.
These investments are matched by enhancements to our in-house EPC capabilities that enable more integrated, high-efficiency project execution. Our ISO 9001:2015 certification has recently been extended to cover a broader range of EPC activities.

 

How are you incorporating digitalisation and AI into your operations?
As part of DP World, we benefit from a strong technological foundation and a shared vision for digital transformation. Our yard facilities exemplify smart infrastructure and integrate IoT systems, automation and advanced analytics to streamline project execution, minimise environmental impact and accelerate delivery timelines. We have also introduced robotics into tasks such as blasting, painting and pipe fabrication, enhancing quality, reducing manual labour, boosting operational efficiency and minimising safety risks.
On the operational side, our CARGOES Rostering System automates workforce scheduling to ensure optimal resource planning. Meanwhile, the CARGOES IOT+ system supports real-time monitoring of mobile equipment, assets and fuel. Since implementation, we have achieved a 15% increase in equipment utilisation and a 7% reduction in diesel consumption.
With 13,000 full-time staff and up to 5,000 contractors, the SaaS platform’s workforce planning capabilities enable us to deploy labour more efficiently, track performance, retrain where needed and continuously maintain high safety conditions.
Moreover, we are now developing a next-generation digital platform that will integrate planning, budgeting, procurement, engineering and design into a single unified system. This platform will allow for fully digitised project oversight and is set to launch next year.
These investments are not just about efficiency; they are part of a broader push toward sustainable industrial transformation. By embedding AI and digital technologies across our operations, we are setting new benchmarks in safety, productivity and environmental performance.

How do you assess your competitive positioning in the regional ship maintenance, repair, conversion and upgrades markets?
We are a unique player in the GCC, distinguished by our ability to offer fully integrated EPC services with in-house construction. It’s the combination of engineering and construction that truly sets us apart.
In the repairs and maintenance segment, we command approximately 60% market share, supported by more than 50 long-term contracts. These agreements ensure a consistent flow of vessels to our yard, enabling more predictable scheduling and driving operational efficiency for our clients and our team.

Does Dubai’s infrastructure and growth strategy offer adequate support for your operations?
Dubai offers us far more than just geographic convenience. It provides a world-class ecosystem that supports our role as a global hub for complex maritime and offshore energy projects. Strategically located along major international shipping lanes and near vital oil and gas reserves, our yard benefits from reduced vessel transit times and enhanced responsiveness to client needs.
Additionally, we are also near key regional energy markets across the Gulf, East Africa, the Red Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, making us a preferred destination for high-value retrofits, conversions and offshore energy services.
Our location adjacent to Jebel Ali Port, the largest man-made port in the world, and our integration with DP World’s global logistics network give us access to more than 150 ports worldwide. This connectivity enables fast customs clearance, express delivery of spare parts and equipment and efficient warehousing, all of which are critical for minimising downtime and meeting tight project schedules.
Together, these advantages make Dubai not just our home base, but a strategic enabler of our leadership in the global maritime and offshore energy sectors.

What is your approach to international expansion?
Our approach to international expansion is deliberate, partnership-led and aligned with long-term value creation. We pursue financially sound opportunities, backed by sustainable contracts and strategically aligned with our core strengths in complex offshore and maritime projects. A recent milestone in this journey is our MoU with Cochin Shipyard in India, reflecting our interest in scaling in high-potential markets.
Beyond physical infrastructure, we have built a truly global operational model through Global Offshore and Onshore Services (GOS), our 24/7 mobile division capable of delivering on-site repair, retrofit and technical services to offshore vessels and platforms anywhere in the world.
With more than 11,000 projects completed, GOS enables us to respond rapidly and efficiently, deploying skilled flying squads and specialists across regions with minimal lead time. This mobility allows us to extend Drydocks World’s capabilities far beyond the yard and support clients wherever their operations take them.
We are also deeply committed to global collaboration and sustainable practices. As a co-founder of the Global Green Shipyard Alliance, we have joined forces with leading shipyards across Europe, Asia and the Middle East to promote environmentally responsible ship repair and retrofitting. This initiative supports vessel owners and operators in meeting tightening global regulations and reducing their environmental impact.
Ultimately, our international expansion is not about presence alone but purpose as well. Whether through strategic partnerships, mobile capabilities or sustainability alliances, we aim to bring value-added solutions to clients across borders while contributing to the decarbonisation of the maritime and offshore energy industries.

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