Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) is the UAE’s primary naval and commercial shipbuilder — constructing and maintaining vessels for the UAE Navy, coast guard, and commercial operators. A government-controlled company headquartered in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, ADSB plays a strategic role in the UAE’s defence industrial base.
| Full Name | Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (ADSB) |
| Listed | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX): ADSB |
| Major Shareholder | Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) / EDGE Group |
| Location | Musaffah Industrial Area, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Products | Naval patrol vessels, fast attack craft, offshore support vessels, ship maintenance |
| Key Customer | UAE Navy, UAE Coast Guard, UAE Ministry of Defence |
Who Owns Abu Dhabi Ship Building?
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) is majority-owned by the EDGE Group — Abu Dhabi’s defence technology conglomerate established in 2019 by merging over 25 defence, security, and technology entities. EDGE is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi government and reports to the UAE’s National Security Council. Before the EDGE Group consolidation, ADSB’s controlling shareholder was EDIC (Emirates Defence Industries Company), which was folded into EDGE. ADSB is listed on the ADX and remains majority state-controlled, with EDGE holding the strategic controlling interest. The company is central to the UAE’s ambition of indigenising naval defence procurement and reducing dependence on imported vessels.
What Does ADSB Build?
ADSB’s product portfolio includes Falaj-class patrol vessels for the UAE Navy, fast attack craft, landing craft, offshore support vessels, and undertakes ship repair and maintenance at its Musaffah facility. Notable programmes include the Baynunah-class corvettes (built under a joint programme with CMN France). ADSB also serves commercial shipping operators with dry-dock and maintenance services. The facility in Musaffah spans over 200,000 square metres and includes dry-docks capable of handling vessels up to 150 metres in length.
