Electric marine vessel maker Crown Electric Ships and Boats plans to establish an all-electric boat and yacht manufacturing plant in the UAE.

The decision is said to reflect the economic attractiveness of zero-emission vessels, which are set to play a role in the re-thinking of maritime transport. Conventional, diesel-powered shipping at present remains the highest polluter in the transport sector.

“Electric boat and yacht building will give a significant boost to the Middle East economy as a manufacturing hub,” said Sonu Jayan, Chairman of Crown Electric Ships and Boats.

In early January 2023, Xylem opened a new Dubai facility and, in early February 2023, a Saudi-Korean JV broke ground on a $240mn stainless steel pipes production facility in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement follows news of the company recently sealing a deal with Kuwait’s Badr Sultan Group to develop and supply a fleet of zero-emission electric yachts. The deal, valued at an initial order of US $10mn, is for developing a fleet of electric vessels ranging from 7.3m electric cabin cruisers to 23.9m electric catamarans specifically designed for the Middle East market.

Lekshmi Salaja, Vice Chairperson of Crown Electric Ships and Boats, said that the contract will have a significant impact on sustainability and net zero initiatives in the Middle East region.

“A mid-sized cruise ship’s emissions are equal to one million cars, and Crown has been developing electric boats from 7m up to 23m – and we are now moving towards the development of sustainable super yachts,” Salaja noted.

In early March 2023, SLG Group said it would build a $55mn facility in Dubai Industrial City.