AD Ports Group Expands Operations In Spain With Balenciaga Shipyard Acquisition

AD Ports Group is expanding in Europe as subsidiary SAFEEN Drydocks acquires Spain’s Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard for EUR 11.2 million. The deal provides full ownership and reinforces the Group’s position in Spain, the Mediterranean and offshore wind supply chains.

SAFEEN Drydocks, part of Noatum Maritime, will run the site under the new Balenciaga Shipyard name. The yard brings almost a century of shipbuilding experience, supporting AD Ports Group’s global clean energy role and its recent offshore wind partnership with Masdar.

Situated in Spain’s Basque region, Balenciaga Shipyard includes two drydocks and a 105-metre slipway. Its main factory covers 22,385m² with automated fabrication technology, supported by a dedicated 3,530m² cutting and manufacturing facility designed for specialised marine construction projects.

Balenciaga Shipyard is recognised for structural prefabrication of large offshore modules and complex vessels. It is one of few Spanish yards building advanced Service Operation Vessels for offshore wind farms, plus research vessels, offshore support ships and specialised tugs serving North Sea and European markets.

The investment deepens AD Ports Group’s presence in Spain and the wider Mediterranean maritime cluster. Operations at Balenciaga Shipyard are expected to complement existing offshore wind activities and allow SAFEEN Drydocks to share technical know-how and modern construction practices across its global network.

Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO - Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group, said, "This acquisition is a testament to our strategy of targeted international expansion and portfolio diversification. Balenciaga Shipyard’s expertise in advanced vessel construction, particularly for the offshore wind sector, will enable us to further our ambitions while facilitating knowledge transfer and best practice adoption across SAFEEN Drydocks. Integrating one of Spain’s most advanced shipyards into our portfolio strengthens our capabilities to support the global clean energy transition while contributing to the creation of high-value jobs and economic opportunity in key markets."

AD Ports Group expects the deal to create more than 50 skilled positions at Balenciaga Shipyard. These roles will support a robust pipeline of specialised vessel projects, additional work from SAFEEN Drydocks and partners, and future needs of AD Ports Group’s own fleet.

With inputs from WAM