NMDC and Etermar complete UAE's first caisson-based quays
3 June 2025 12:22
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)In a landmark achievement for the UAE's marine infrastructure sector, Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Group and Portuguese marine engineering specialist Etermar have successfully completed the construction of the country's first caisson-based quay walls. The 600-metre berth was built on an artificial offshore island designed and developed by NMDC to accommodate mega yachts exceeding 100 metres in length.This engineering milestone, executed in just five months, marks the debut of caisson-based quay construction in the UAE. A caisson is a large, watertight structure made of reinforced concrete that is used in marine construction to form the foundation of piers, quay walls, or breakwaters. These are typically prefabricated off-site and floated into position before being sunk and filled to provide a strong, durable base in the marine environment.The project, a result of close collaboration between NMDC and Etermar, included the design and installation of two quay walls comprising sixteen reinforced concrete caissons—each forming part of the 300-metre segments on either side. These caissons were built at Mina Zayed Port on a floating dock brought in from Portugal, then transported by sea and installed on site by Etermar. The construction also involved a detailed design of capping beams, scour protection systems, and foundation trenches.NMDC carried out extensive engineering and modelling studies, including hydrodynamic and soil investigations, to ensure the success of the island's infrastructure. The island itself includes dredging and reclamation works, breakwater protection, revetments, and beach profiling, all executed with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.Chief Operating Officer at NMDC Dredging & Marine, Oliver Leclerc, said, 'Together with Etermar we combined our unique skillsets in design and execution to deliver a truly one-of-a-kind project.'CEO of Etermar Engenharia, Álvaro Mendes, added, 'We are extremely proud to have been part of the first caissons ever built in the UAE, one of the world's most demanding and active marine engineering markets.'
Approximately 190 workers contributed to the project, nearly half of them Portuguese.
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