UAE boat builder Al Marakeb is drawing the crowds at this year’s International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with its recently-launched B-7 – claimed to be the world’s only pilotless vessel with fully capable commercial as well as military applications.

“IDEX 2015 is the first time we have displayed our versatile B-7 and we have been delighted with the numerous enquiries regarding its multitude of commercial roles, as well those relating to its security applications,” said Basel Shuhaiber, managing partner, Al Marakeb.

IDEX, which is currently under way, is the first public viewing of the B-7, which undertook successful open water demonstrations at Al Hamra Marina, Ras Al Khaimah, in January this year. The sea trials were the final test in the B-7’s evaluation programme and the vessel is now being made available for customers around the world. Al Marakeb is the first boatyard in the region to set up a production line for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), with the company taking the plunge into new waters for pilotless craft in order to capitalise on a growing sector. 

Al Marakeb’s B-7 is expected to capture a significant market share of the promising USV industry thanks to its versatility and fully customisable specifications. Each vessel’s final fit-out will be contingent on the client’s individual requirements and the mandatory licensing stipulations from the markets where it will be operating.

Highly suitable for inshore and ports applications, parties purchasing a B-7 will receive a vessel that in its standard guise is capable of reaching 40+ knots and features a state-of-the-art camera system with motion tracking and geo-locking feature for advanced manoeuvrability.

Anticipated industry sectors for the B-7’s scope of operations include Oil & Gas, Ports & Customs, Critical National Infrastructure, Environmental, Marine Biology & Research, Hospitality & Leisure, Waterfront Development and Defence & Security. Al Marakeb says that it aims to build its expertise with unmanned craft in order to provide autonomous technology solutions through a new generation of pilotless craft that will be employed in the areas of tourism, photography, asset surveillance, surveying and the transportation of goods.

Al Marakeb has built its reputation with the production of high-performance, recreational powerboats. Established in 2007, the company has progressively expanded its portfolio of vessels and improved its production capacity to meet the demand for craft that don’t require berthing facilities. All Al Marakeb boats can be dry-docked outside customers’ homes on trailers and easily transported to launch points, resulting in substantial operational savings that put the craft within reach of a wider range of buyers.

The company’s current network extends to the UAE, GCC, regional and international markets. - TradeArabia News Service