Nakheel hires Deira Islands breakwater contractor

Dubai-based Master developer Nakheel has appointed marine engineering contractor Van Oord to deliver 23.5 kilometres of coastline and breakwaters at Deira Islands, its new, 15.3 km2 waterfront city in Dubai.

The AED387 million (US $105.36 million) contract, signed on Monday with Van Oord Middle East Limited Dubai Branch, includes beaches, quay walls, rock edges and breakwaters at Deira Islands.

The overall cost of the coastal work is around AED550 million ($149.74 million).

The two-year contract for stage one of Nakheel's water edge delivery programme at Deira Islands includes 8.5km of beaches, 3.5km of quay walls and 9.5km of rock revetments at two of the four Deira Islands.

The work includes a 4km stretch of waterfront, big enough to accommodate more than 500 yachts and boats, at the 4.5 million m2 south island.

Van Oord will also build 2km of breakwaters to protect the newly-created basin and beachfront.

Nakheel has previously engaged Van Oord for dredging and coastal work on its world-famous waterfront projects in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah and The World which added 300km to Dubai's coastline.

Deira Islands will add another 40km, including 21 km of beachfront.

Deira Islands is anticipated to accommodate new hotels, serviced apartments, mixed-use buildings and marinas.

According to Nakheel, it will transform Dubai's Deira district into a world-class hub for tourism, living, retail and entertainment.

Nakheel itself is developing a significant chunk of the south island with new attractions including Deira Islands Night Souk, Deira Mall, and Deira Islands Towers and Boulevard.

The firm is set to partner with Spain’s Riu Hotels & Resorts to build Dubai’s first all-inclusive beach resort at its planned Deira Islands scheme, the developer announced in May.

Last year Nakheel said it had sold half the small plots for hotel and hotel apartments as part of its Deira Islands project in Dubai, after a strong response from investors.