Construction of Saudi Arabia’s First Red Sea Research Vessel Announced
KAUST has selected Freire Shipyards in Vigo, Spain, to build its new research vessel, RV Thuwal II, scheduled for completion in 2026. This vessel will be Saudi Arabia’s first regional class research vessel, providing access to the Red Sea for marine research. Designed by Glosten in the US, overseen by Maritime Survey International from Australia, RV Thuwal II will support various research interests and government ministries, strengthening the nation’s research capabilities.