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ADNOC Awards Samsung Two Contracts to Boost Output of Ruwais Refinery

Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan. Reuters
Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan. Reuters
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ADNOC Awards Samsung Two Contracts to Boost Output of Ruwais Refinery

Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan. Reuters
Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan. Reuters

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said Monday it has awarded two contracts worth 12.8 billion dirhams ($3.5 billion) to South Korea's Samsung Engineering to boost output at the largest refinery in the United Arab Emirates.

The contracts were signed by ADNOC Refining, a wholly owned subsidiary of ADNOC, and Samsung Engineering.

The first engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded for a $3.1 billion project on flexibility in crude oil processing in Ruwais refinery.

The crude flexibility project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. It will enable the Ruwais Refinery-West plant to process up to 420,000 barrels per day of Upper Zakum crude, or similar oil grades, freeing up more exports of ADNOC’s Murban crude, which is sold at a premium.

While the second EPC contract is for a 1.73 billion dirhams ($473 million) project to recover power and water, also at the Ruwais oil refinery.

This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. It will generate an additional 230 megawatts of electricity for sale and 62,400 cubic meters of water daily by capturing waste heat and upgrading four gas turbines with closed-cycle power generation technology.

The signing of the contracts coincided with the visit of South Korea's President Moon Jae-in to the UAE.

ADNOC’s Downstream Director Abdulaziz al-Hajri and CEO of Samsung Engineering Choi Sung-An signed the deals in the presence of Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, and Paik Ungyu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea.

"ADNOC has a long and successful history of working with Korean companies as partners in our concession areas, as contractors for our major projects and as a customer of our crude oil and refined products,” Al Jaber said.

“The award of two major Engineering, Procurement and Construction [EPC] contracts reinforces the strong business relationship that exists between the UAE and Korea," Al Jaber added.

"As ADNOC continues to deliver on its 2030 smart growth strategy, a number of new and exciting opportunities exist across our value chain, particularly in the downstream, which offer the potential to deepen and develop the longstanding relationship between ADNOC and its Korean counterparts," he further noted.

The project will significantly contribute to reducing the environmental impact of ADNOC's refining and power generation processes as well as improving energy efficiency.

The two projects represent an important development within ADNOC's efforts to enhance value in the field of gas and petrochemical refining.

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Gulf States Expand Tourism Footprint as Emerging Markets Gain Momentum at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Gulf States Expand Tourism Footprint as Emerging Markets Gain Momentum at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Emerging tourism markets are carving out space on the global travel map, drawing attention for their dynamic participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, while Gulf nations—particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—are accelerating their expansion in the tourism sector.

As global travel gathers momentum, Gulf-based airlines are eyeing new investment opportunities despite lingering global economic uncertainty, driven by shifting trade patterns and evolving consumer behavior in the international travel landscape.

The 32nd edition of ATM opened in Dubai with more than 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries. Held under the theme “Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,” the event emphasized building a more sustainable and globally integrated travel industry.

The exhibition reflects the profound changes shaping global tourism, with cross-border and sustainable connectivity now central to the industry’s development. It also highlights the growing influence of emerging markets and the increasing role of Gulf investments in tourism and aviation.

During its participation in ATM, the Saudi Tourism Authority showcased the Kingdom’s accelerating tourism growth, revealing it had attracted approximately 116 million visitors in 2024—a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Fahd Hamidaddin, the authority’s CEO, said Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its position as a unique summer destination through a robust calendar of events and strategic private-sector partnerships. The focus is on key source markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

UAE Tourism Supports Economic Diversification

UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, emphasized the country’s growing stature as a global tourism hub. He pointed to the launch of major national initiatives that align with best international practices, support economic diversification, and attract investment in hospitality, aviation, and travel.

According to bin Touq, the UAE’s tourism sector continued to deliver strong performance in 2024. Hotel revenues rose to AED 45 billion (USD 12.2 billion), up 3% from 2023, while occupancy rates reached 78%, among the highest globally. The country added 16 new hotels last year, increasing the total to 1,251, with room capacity growing 3%. Hotel guests rose 9.5% year-on-year to 30.8 million, achieving 77% of the UAE’s 2031 national tourism target seven years ahead of schedule.

Gulf Airlines Gear Up for Growth

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the airline has yet to feel any major impact from global trade tensions, with seat occupancy remaining strong despite global uncertainty. Etihad plans to add 20 to 22 aircraft in 2025, with the goal of expanding its fleet to more than 170 aircraft by 2030. Neves also noted that the euro’s recent appreciation could boost European travel to the Gulf.

Etihad, which currently operates a fleet of around 100 aircraft, has significant financial flexibility, with 60% of its fleet debt-free. “If a crisis arises, we can ground planes and save up to 75% of operating costs,” he noted.

The airline plans to receive 10 Airbus A321XLR jets starting in August, in addition to 6 Airbus A350s and 4 Boeing 787s. Neves said while delays in aircraft delivery remain a challenge, they have not altered Etihad’s growth strategy. He also confirmed ongoing discussions with manufacturers and signaled interest in Boeing aircraft originally designated for China but now potentially available due to trade restrictions.

Riyadh Air Nears Major Aircraft Deal

Tony Douglas, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, said the new airline is open to acquiring Boeing jets initially built for the Chinese market if trade disputes disrupt those deliveries.

Douglas said global economic headwinds have not affected demand and announced plans to finalize a major widebody aircraft deal soon. The airline aims to expand its workforce to around 1,000 employees in the coming year, as it prepares to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Commenting on broader regional developments, Douglas said the resumption of flights from the UAE to Syria and the use of Syrian airspace “may be an early sign that conditions are improving.”