Roll Group expands in Saudi Arabia

Roll Group marks the opening of its new Saudi Arabian office. Photo: Roll Group

Heavy transport and lifting specialist Roll Group has expanded its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a new office and more equipment.

The Netherlands-headquartered specialist began working in the Middle East in 2020. It already has a presence in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Going big

Roll Group said it is now the second largest specialized transport company in KSA. Photo: Roll Group

Roll Group said its latest expansion will make it the second-largest inland transport company in Saudi Arabia.

That expansion consists of a 4,000 square metre office and yard facility in Jubail to provide storage and logistics support. Having the latest lifting and transport kit there allows the company to handle complex engineered heavy transport and lifting projects from start to finish.

In addition to a fleet of heavy lift crawler cranes, lifting gantries, specialized trailers, self propelled modular transporter (SPMT), and more, Roll Group owns and operates a fleet of heavy lift transport ships and barges.

In April 2022 Roll Group announced establishment of a new joint-venture company for operations in Saudia Arabia. The deal was between Roll Group and Saudi Arabia-based FTE Heavylift. Roll FTE was set up to allow the two companies to work together on heavy lift, heavy transport, installation, and marine projects. Based in Dammam, it also had yards in Jeddah, Jubail and Rabigh. Roll Group said it would integrate and operate as one company with the FTE Heavylift division in Saudi Arabia. FTE’s Heavylift division started operating in 2013.

Roll Group was started in 2006, with Frans van Seumeren, as RollDock, in the Netherlands. The heavy lift and transport division Roll-Lift was set up in late 2011 (ICST December 2011, news page 6 and ICST January 2012, interview page 15).