MAKEEN Strengthens Local Marine Capabilities as Official Service Partner for ZF in Saudi Arabia
As part of its strategic drive to support the localization of sustainable industries in the Kingdom, Saudi Engines Manufacturing Company (MAKEEN) has taken major steps toward localizing the marine industry within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In support of this goal, MAKEEN has been officially appointed by ZF Services Middle East LLC, a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG and the regional hub for ZF’s technical support and aftersales services, as its authorized service partner in Saudi Arabia.
Through this partnership, MAKEEN will provide comprehensive after-sales services and spare parts supply for ZF’s marine gearbox series, including the ZF 2000, ZF 3000, ZF 5000, and ZF 9000, which are widely used in various marine applications.
This strategic step reinforces MAKEEN’s position in developing a fully integrated maritime ecosystem in the Kingdom. It also supports national efforts to reduce dependence on imports by providing advanced engineering solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the local market.
Sulaiman Ababtain, Chairman of MAKEEN’s Board, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership, stating: “At MAKEEN, we are committed to delivering fully integrated engineering solutions that align with the evolving expectations of our clients. Our journey began with marine engines and has since expanded to encompass advanced pumping and propulsion systems. Today, we are proud to take another leap forward by integrating high-performance marine gearbox systems from ZF, a global leader in engineering excellence. This strategic expansion enhances our capability to offer end-to-end, reliable solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.”
Fawaz Al-Thubaiti, Chief Executive Officer of MAKEEN, highlighted the direct impact of this partnership, stating: “This strategic collaboration empowers MAKEEN to deliver comprehensive technical support for a wide range of ZF marine gearbox systems currently in operation across the Kingdom, complementing our existing marine engine services. As a core component of marine propulsion, these systems are essential to ensuring operational reliability, enhanced performance, and reduced equipment downtime. This partnership marks a significant step in our ongoing mission to localize and provide advanced, integrated marine technology solutions that support the Kingdom’s industrial development goals.”
Dr. Khalid Alexander Sabbah, Head of Marine – Middle East and South Asia at ZF Services Middle East, commented, “Teaming up with MAKEEN as our authorized service partner in Saudi Arabia is a strategic step that reinforces our commitment to delivering localized, high-quality support to our marine customers. This collaboration not only strengthens ZF’s presence in the Kingdom but also aligns with our shared mission of executing customer-centric actions and will contribute to the sustainable growth of the Saudi maritime sector.”
This partnership reaffirms MAKEEN’s unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability and empowering national talent within the maritime industry. It opens new horizons for the localization of advanced technologies and strengthens our ability to deliver efficient, high-quality service to clients.