On 23 April, Freire Shipyard laid the keel of the research vessel Thuwal II for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). With a length of 50 metres, this vessel will be the flagship of the Saudi research fleet and will serve all national marine research interests.

“The RV Thuwal II represents a decisive step in our commitment to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s scientific infrastructure and protect the Red Sea ecosystem. This new addition will open the door to high-impact technology collaborations in the region. Its commissioning promises to position Saudi Arabia as a world leader in marine research,” says KAUST.

“For Freire Shipyard it is an honour to contribute to the construction of a cutting-edge vessel such as the Thuwal II. This project symbolises a joint commitment to scientific progress and innovation in marine research at an international level”, say Marcos Freire and Guillermo Freire, managing directors of Freire Shipyard.

The oceanographic vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2027, will have a capacity for 30 people, a 50-metre beam, a 12.8-metre beam and a draught of 3.6 metres. Designed to operate for more than 30 years, its modular structure will allow the incorporation of various experimental laboratories, adapting to current and future marine technologies for the exploration of the Red Sea. This modularity will also facilitate the implementation of new eco-friendly propulsion technologies, reducing its carbon footprint over time.