Maestral, a shipbuilding joint venture based in Abu Dhabi between Fincantieri and EDGE, has secured a significant contract for an ‘In-Service Support Strategic Partnership Project’ aimed at enhancing the entire fleet of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy. This contract is valued at over $520 million and will be implemented over a five-year period.

The Tawazun Council, an independent government entity that collaborates closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies in the UAE, is responsible for awarding the contract to Maestral. The agreement, worth approximately $524 million, designates Maestral as the industrial strategic partner tasked with managing comprehensive maintenance for the UAE Navy, addressing key operational and logistical needs.

The project will facilitate a strong collaboration between Fincantieri and EDGE Group’s Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) under the Maestral joint venture. Hamad Al Marar, the Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, emphasized that the contract highlights the trust in Maestral’s advanced capabilities from major customers and stakeholders worldwide. He expressed confidence that the joint venture would leverage its vast resources and experience to deliver exceptional maritime vessels and lifecycle maintenance services.

Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero, stated that this contract represents a crucial advancement for Fincantieri in the region. He noted that it reinforces their commitment to developing industrial partnerships that offer excellence and reflects the shared vision between Fincantieri and EDGE through the Maestral venture. He expressed pride in supporting the UAE Navy by providing cutting-edge technology and top-tier maintenance services tailored to modern naval operations.