Strategic Development Fund, an Abu Dhabi investment entity wholly owned by defense group EDGE, has agreed to raise its holding in UAE maritime technology company MARIX to a majority stake, the fund said on Friday.
The fund signed the agreement with Sovereign Global Solutions Limited, which will remain a minority shareholder. The statement did not disclose financial terms or the size of the new stake.
MARIX, previously known as Sovereign Global Solution Middle East, designs, builds and operates uncrewed and autonomous surface vessels.
The fund first took a minority stake in 2022 to back the company’s first prototype, MARIP-12. That vessel has since become operational and has worked offshore in the UAE for several years.
Larger vessel for offshore work
MARIX has completed the design of MARIP-24, its next-generation uncrewed surface vessel, which will move toward production in the UAE. The company plans to show it publicly at ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
The vessel is designed for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair, hydrographic and geophysical surveys, and work-class remotely operated vehicle operations.
The fund said MARIX is positioned to meet growing demand for more efficient offshore services as the UAE expands its energy production capacity.
“By becoming the majority shareholder, we aim to support MARIX’s next phase of growth, particularly in developing local production capabilities,” said Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, managing director and chief executive officer of Strategic Development Fund.
Muaatassem Awda, chairman of MARIX, said the company was preparing to take the next step toward production after completing the MARIP-24 design.
The fund invests in dual-use technologies that support the development of strategic capabilities in the UAE.
