Rolls-Royce and MAKEEN to Build mtu Series 2000 Marine Engines in Saudi Arabia

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Saudi Engines Manufacturing Company MAKEEN have signed a licence agreement for local manufacture and assembly of mtu Series 2000 marine engines in Saudi Arabia. The agreement creates the first licensed local production of high-speed engines in the Kingdom and adds a new regional manufacturing base for a propulsion platform widely used across marine applications.

Series 2000 production moves into a local manufacturing phase

The new Individual License Agreement follows a framework agreement signed by Rolls-Royce and MAKEEN in November 2023. Rolls-Royce says the earlier agreement established the legal and commercial basis for localisation, while the new deal allows the partners to move into production planning for the mtu Series 2000 platform.

The first phase covers marine engines, with Rolls-Royce identifying local manufacturing and assembly as the immediate focus. The agreement gives MAKEEN access to a proven high-speed engine family while creating a Saudi production capability that can support future vessel programmes closer to their operating region.

Marine and naval projects are the initial target

Rolls-Royce says the localised engines are intended to support marine and naval applications including high-speed ferries, coast guard vessels and patrol boats. The Series 2000 family also has a substantial presence in yacht propulsion, making the regional manufacturing development relevant to builders, operators and service organisations working across the Gulf.

For yacht projects, the significance is less about a change to the engine itself than the expansion of the industrial network around it. Local assembly can potentially shorten parts and service chains, develop technical skills and increase regional capacity as Saudi Arabia continues to invest in marinas, yacht facilities and maritime infrastructure.

MAKEEN brings an existing Saudi industrial base

MAKEEN was formed through a collaboration between Saudi Aramco, HD Hyundai and Dussur. Its activities include manufacturing, servicing and lifecycle support for marine and land-based engines and equipment, giving the Rolls-Royce agreement an established industrial partner rather than creating a production operation from scratch.

The partners will now work on the facilities, processes and capabilities needed for customer projects. Rolls-Royce says rail applications are expected to follow the marine phase, extending the licensing model beyond maritime propulsion once the first production capability is established.

The agreement adds to Rolls-Royce's regional marine strategy

Rolls-Royce has operated in Saudi Arabia since the 1960s and describes the new agreement as part of a wider localisation strategy aligned with the Kingdom's industrial development programme. For Power Systems, it also extends the global footprint supporting mtu propulsion rather than concentrating manufacturing and technical support only in established European centres.

The move comes as Saudi Arabia is expanding its role in the yacht and marine sectors through new destinations, marinas and specialist facilities on the Red Sea. A local high-speed engine manufacturing capability adds another layer to that developing supply chain, particularly for vessels that require long-term technical support after delivery.

Official sources: www.rolls-royce.com.