NMDC wins Dhs1.3b contract from AD Ports for Shamal marine works

National Marine Dredging Company (The Group), the UAE’s leading contractor in the field of engineering, procurement, construction and marine dredging in the Middle East spanning vital sectors, creating solutions that meet the challenges of the future in the energy EPC sector, has won an Dhs1.3 billion contract from AD Ports (ADP) Group for the engineering and construction of the Shamal Development marine works.

The new project win comes in line with the Group’s strategic expansion plans and aims to strengthen its position and expertise as a global engineering and construction powerhouse for high quality infrastructure development in Abu Dhabi serving the world.

The Shamal Development is part of the Khalifa Port located in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, midway between Mina Zayed and Jebel Ali Port, which was built on a reclaimed artificial island reaching 4.5km offshore.

Commenting on the new project win, Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO, NMDC, said: “The contract is part of our strategic plans to expand our operations in the UAE and beyond. We have strategic expansion plans for 2022 and the following years, and as a Group, we will be entering new markets and enhancing our presence in existing ones undertaking complex projects and sharing our expertise.

“As trusted partner and a national champion company, we will bring our global expertise in delivering the project as per schedule. The project will also create significant in-country value through our localized project execution, supporting the goals of the nation.”

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “Khalifa Port, our flagship deepwater port, provides vital infrastructure for the global maritime industry.”

“This new development will help us further augment our infrastructure, operational and cargo handling capabilities, supporting our growth and accelerating trade flows in the region. In turn, the expansion cements Khalifa Port’s position as a major global trade and logistics hub.”

The scope of work will include the dredging of 16.8 million cubic meter, 1.2 km quay wall and construction of approximately a 3.8 km long detached breakwater, as well as ground improvement works for 1 million square meter along with environmental monitoring and protection measures. The entire project is scheduled for completion in October 2023.

Last week Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP), has said that the group aims to explore opportunities and partnerships in regional and international markets by signing international partnership agreements.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency, Al Shamsi said the group’s investments will help improve the emirate’s stature as a key supporter of international trade and logistical services, in line with the group’s five joint strategic partnerships with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) in Jordan.

Abu Dhabi Ports Group supports the national economy, accounting for 13.7 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP in 2020, and providing over 200,000 jobs in the UAE, as well as managing 55 per cent of overall industrial zones in the country, he added.

The strategic partnership agreements signed with the ADC aims to strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the UAE and Jordan, as well as support Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s global expansion plans by capitalising on the strategic location of Aqaba as a regional hub in the Red Sea to attract tourism from Europe, Al Shamsi said, noting that tourists are always keen to visit Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra in Jordan.

The Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports affirmed that mutual investments between the UAE and Jordan are valued at nearly $20 billion, and new projects will boost the value of Emirati investments in the kingdom.

“Abu Dhabi Ports Group is committed to strengthening our partnership with leading companies in Jordan and helping achieve their aspirations to reinforce Aqaba’s stature as a regional hub for trade, logistics, transport and tourism. We are confident that these projects are just the beginning of a fruitful future cooperation,” he added.

Meanwhile Etihad Airways and ADQ announced on Thursday a proposed transaction that will support the ongoing transformation of Etihad Airways and the future growth of the civil aviation sector in Abu Dhabi. As part of the proposed transaction, a number of Etihad’s businesses providing airline support services will become part of a new ADQ aviation company.

Once the transaction is complete, the airline support services businesses will benefit from being part of ADQ’s broad mobility and logistics portfolio, which includes Abu Dhabi Airports and AD Ports Group.

The businesses included in the proposed transaction are Etihad Engineering, Etihad Airport Services Cargo, Etihad Airport Services Ground, Etihad Aviation Training, Etihad Secure Logistics and Etihad Technical Training.