of-the-art facility also achieves the company's goals of stimulating the Saudi economy and developing Saudi nationals in the highly skilled offshore fabrication industry.” Training of the initial group of Saudi nationals in skilled crafts has begun in earnest and is proceeding according to plan. The STAR facility was constructed with “best practice” principles and the highest quality standards in mind. As the first such facility to be built in Saudi Arabia, it was essential to ensure that the new fabrication yard is competitive in all respects with existing GCC-based offshore fabrication yards. In addition to building offshore facilities in-Kingdom for Saudi Aramco, it is expected that the STAR yard will secure projects and build facilities for other GCC-based clients and beyond — bringing new business to the Kingdom. The result is that a new, world-class, offshore fabrication facility has been introduced to the GCC marine construction market, which will increase the regional fabrication capacity, especially during periods of high demand
