Shipbuilding group announces Bahrain’s first commercial private 5G network

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Enterprise Ecosystems; 11 November 2026; 469 views

The adoption of private networks by industry has continued, this time in Bahrain, with the introduction of what is described as Bahrain’s first commercial private 5G network.

The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY), a leading industrial maritime hub, has announced a strategic partnership with operator stc Bahrain. The deal involves a private network which will be deployed across ASRY’s facilities to support its core operations and improve overall efficiency.

ASRY explains that this landmark initiative aims to enable advanced shipyard automation and AI-powered industrial IoT, creating a digital foundation for smarter, safer, and more efficient maritime operations while supporting ASRY’s digital transformation journey.

Purpose-built for the maritime and industrial sector, this next-generation private 5G network is expected to support ASRY’s key operational needs by providing secure, ultra-low latency connectivity required for mission-critical Industry 4.0 environments.

The deployment will support innovative use cases such as AI-powered CCTV for intelligent monitoring, digital twin solutions to optimise asset performance, and autonomous inspection robots to enhance safety.

Furthermore, the network facilitates automated industrial operations, including robotic hull cleaning, welding and surface preparation, ultimately, ASRY says, improving precision, reducing downtime, and ensuring long-term operational scalability for Bahrain's maritime sector.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at ASRY, explains that adopting a commercial private 5G network to enhance its operational efficiency, positions the company at the forefront of this field.

He continues: “This further strengthens our efforts to transform our operations by harnessing the potential of digitisation and automation, while enabling more accurate decision-making through real-time data analytics,” adding: “The deployment of this network represents an important step towards modernising maritime operations and strengthening sector’s capabilities, helping shape the future of shipyards in Bahrain and across the region.”