The company’s dynamic Dammam expansion propels regional operations, featuring state-of-the-art subsea technology and bolstering local production, and this strategic move supports Vision 2030, Sahil Gandhi tells OGN

Unique Group, a trailblazer in subsea technology, has come a long way from its modest beginnings in a Sharjah garage.

Founded by three visionaries, the company has burgeoned into a global entity, boasting over 18 locations and a workforce exceeding 650 dedicated professionals.

In an exclusive interview with OGN energy magazine, Sahil Gandhi, CEO, talks about the company’s remarkable growth, which has been driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation and a solid foundation in engineering excellence.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

Can you give us a snapshot of Unique Group's evolution and how it has positioned itself as a leader in the subsea technology sector?

Unique Group began with three people and a vision in a garage in Sharjah, and over the past 30 years, we've evolved into a global organisation with over 18 locations worldwide.

Built-in ABS classed air dive spread manufactured and installed by Unique Group in a Middle East client’s vessel

This growth has been powered by the dedication of our over 650 employees and our commitment to innovation.

We've built strong engineering capabilities and established global manufacturing facilities, including South Africa, the UK and the UAE, where we produce advanced systems like saturation and air dive systems, as well as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chambers.

Our operations span six key divisions: Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV), Survey Equipment, Buoyancy + Water Weights, Diving + Life Support, Lifting + Mooring and Bespoke Engineering Solutions.

Our in-house R&D team has been instrumental in driving innovation, allowing us to develop proprietary products under the Unique label and expand into new sectors like medical technology and environmental monitoring.

We've continually adapted to meet the needs of the subsea, renewables, maritime, and energy sectors, always striving to make our clients' operations safer and more efficient.

Unique Group held the grand opening of a newly expanded facility in Dammam in January 2024. How long has Unique had a presence in the Saudi Market?

Commerical diving equipment manufacturing

Unique Group has proudly maintained a strong presence in the Saudi market for over a decade. It has been truly remarkable to observe the country’s rapid development in recent years.

Saudi Arabia has always been a key market for us, and our expansion aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the growing demands of our clients.

We’ve established robust partnerships with major players like Aramco, Neom, the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), and Red Sea Global.

The surge in projects across the Kingdom, coupled with its ambitious goals, reinforces our decision to expand our presence here to better support our customers.

As a company with a local footprint, we are committed to creating in-country value and take pride in being the first and largest subsea equipment provider in the region.

Our recent expansion is a strategic step towards our long-term goal of designing and manufacturing our equipment within Saudi Arabia.

What additional equipment was introduced in the new facility, and what operations are conducted at the site?

Portable classed saturation dive system manufactured by Unique Group

Our newly expanded 2,000 sq m facility in Dammam is designed to meet the diverse demands of the subsea industry.

It is equipped with survey equipment, USVs, diving and life support solutions, buoyancy systems, and Water Weights, all available for sale or rent.

We offer premier lifting and mooring services, featuring the region's largest dynamic winch test bed with a static pull capacity of 600 tonnes and a dynamic live load test capability of up to 40 tonnes.

Our weight load testing solutions are seamlessly integrated with our lifting and mooring services, providing a comprehensive turnkey solution from spooling to load testing. This integration offers customers a single point of contact for all their needs.

This expansion supports our "Make in Saudi" initiative, aimed at enhancing local employment and manufacturing. It marks a significant step in establishing Saudi Arabia as a hub for diving solutions, with local manufacturing and assembly for air dive systems, power packs, and scuba replacement units.

Our facility embodies our commitment to the Kingdom’s subsea industry, designed to improve operational capabilities and efficiency while offering resources and services tailored to the industry's evolving needs.

Which of the Group's products and services are in highest demand in Saudi Arabia, and what future opportunities do you foresee for the Saudi market?

Unique Groups fleet of USVs Uni Max, Uni Pact and Uni Mini

Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone in the Middle East operations for Unique Group, and our recent expansion of the Dammam facility highlights our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's growing projects and developments.

The Kingdom is on the verge of significant growth, and we are collaborating closely with universities and environmental agencies.

Our survey equipment and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), such as the mid-range Uni-Pact USV, are widely used for water body monitoring, pre-construction surveys, and environmental assessments.

Our buoyancy bags are crucial for offshore pipelay, cable lay, and shore-pull projects, while our Water Weights load testing bags are essential for crane proof load testing on ships.

We offer in-house proof load testing up to 800 tonnes, with portable solutions extending to 2,000 tonnes.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art refurbishment and recertification centre, staffed with OEM-trained technicians for servicing mechanical hoisting, hydraulic, and air-powered lifting devices.

We also design, manufacture, install, and operate hydraulic winches and power packs tailored to client specifications.

In the offshore sector, there is increasing demand for commercial diving equipment, including air dive systems and launch and recovery systems.

Our in-house engineering and manufacturing divisions enable us to address these needs swiftly.

We are also observing a rising interest in sustainable USVs, which are environmentally friendly and operationally efficient, offering versatile survey capabilities in various maritime environments.

With the booming construction and offshore engineering sectors, we anticipate a surge in demand for lifting and heavy load testing services.

Unique Group is dedicated to integrating our technological expertise with local talent development, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.

Unique Group’s global presence and diverse product portfolio span various locations and sectors within the maritime and offshore industries. Which regions and solutions are currently demonstrating strong performance and promising growth potential?

Our global operations are showing robust progress. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are advancing rapidly. In Europe and the UK, many projects focus on renewable energy. In India, Singapore, South Africa, and Australia, we work closely with governments and universities. In the USA, our solutions are well-regarded in the maritime sector and emerging renewable energy projects.

Our diverse product range excels across sectors. The Uni-Fleet USVs including Uni-Mini, Uni-Pact, and Uni-Max offer versatile survey capabilities from shallow waters to deep offshore, emphasising cost efficiency, ease of training, and standardised spares. These vessels also help reduce operational carbon footprints.

Recent projects showcase their global utility: the Uni-Pact surveyed Singapore’s East coast, performed a 12-km pipeline survey in the Netherlands, and inspected a dam in India.

The Uni-Mini conducted a multi-site pre- and post-dredging survey in the UAE, setting new standards for survey efficiency and excellence.

What exciting developments does Unique Group have in the pipeline?

Our team has been developing USVs, survey equipment, and engineering solutions through innovative R&D. Key technologies include the Uni-Sheave for precise cable measurement and Uni-Mesh for long-range communication.

We developed the Uni-FlowX, a Controlled Mass Flow Excavation system crucial for complex excavation projects like the cable trenching project it was deployed for in Malaysia under challenging conditions.

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