Dubai company picks South Carolina to set up US headquarters

A Dubai company that makes boats to meet the tough demands of customers such as military, police and rescue agencies has picked South Carolina as its U.S. manufacturing headquarters.

Asis Boats USA, doing business as Ocean Craft Marine, selected Horry County for a home and will invest $10.8 million in the site, according to a news release. The company says the facility in Conway’s Bucksport Marine Park will create 93 new jobs.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates’ city of Dubai, Asis Boats specializes in the manufacture of advanced rigid inflatable boats, amphibious platforms, aluminum military craft and professional maritime vessels used globally by navies, defense agencies, rescue services and government entities, according to the release.

“We are honored to bring our craft, our technology and our purpose to Horry County,” Asis Boats and Ocean Craft Marine President Roy Nouhra said in the release. “This investment is not only about building boats — it is about building a family, a community and a future together. As the United States strengthens its inland defense manufacturing capabilities, we are proud to play a role in that national mission. South Carolina will become a home for our people, our innovation and our commitment to those who safeguard our nation. We look forward to growing roots here, hand in hand with the community, and building vessels that will serve and protect around the world.”

Operations are expected to be online by end of 2026.

“Bringing Ocean Craft Marine to our community is a big win for our county,” Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said in the release. “These are high-quality jobs, rooted in advanced manufacturing that will benefit our area and support the graduates of Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s boat building program. It will create new opportunities for our residents and strengthen our local economy. We are proud Ocean Craft Marine chose to invest in Horry County and look forward to seeing their boats built in our county and shipped all over the country. Welcome to Horry County.”

The company will post jobs on its careers page.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project, according to the release.

“Ocean Craft Marine’s decision to select Horry County as its U.S. manufacturing headquarters reinforces South Carolina’s global reputation as an ideal location for manufacturing companies,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “We are pleased to welcome the new opportunities this announcement will bring to Horry County and look forward to supporting Ocean Craft Marine as it finds success in our state.”

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