NMDC and Etermar Complete UAE’s First-Ever Caisson-Based Quay Construction in Abu Dhabi
In a landmark engineering achievement, NMDC Group, a leading global EPC player in the energy and marine & dredging sectors based in Abu Dhabi, and Etermar, a renowned Portuguese marine engineering company, have successfully completed the construction of the first caisson-based quays in the United Arab Emirates. The project marks a major advancement in sustainable marine infrastructure within the region.
The construction consisted of 600 linear meters of berth built on an artificial offshore island developed by NMDC to accommodate some of the world’s largest mega yachts (exceeding 100 meters in length). The project, completed in just five months, demonstrates the efficiency and innovation of caisson-based engineering, introduced for the first time in the UAE by Etermar in partnership with NMDC.
The collaboration involved the design and construction of two quay walls, each composed of eight reinforced concrete caissons (300m + 300m). These structures were manufactured on a floating dock at Mina Zayed Port, brought from Portugal, and then towed and installed offshore by Etermar. The project also featured the design of capping beams, scour protection systems, and foundation trenches. Over 190 multi-national workers, including a significant Portuguese workforce, contributed to the successful execution.
Oliver Leclerc, COO of NMDC Dredging & Marine, stated:
“At NMDC Dredging & Marine, we are proud to support Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure evolution. Together with Etermar, we brought our combined expertise in design, execution, and large-scale resource deployment to deliver a truly unique marine construction project. We remain committed to delivering sustainable and high-value marine solutions across the region.”
Álvaro Mendes, CEO of Etermar Engenharia, added:
“This milestone project proves Etermar’s strategic capability to deliver complex marine engineering works in one of the world’s most demanding markets. We are honoured to be part of the UAE’s first caisson construction, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region and its infrastructure ambitions.”
NMDC, as the main contractor, executed all critical engineering and modelling works, including hydrodynamic, metocean, and geotechnical studies, ensuring sustainable island development. The scope also included dredging, reclamation, breakwater, revetment, and beach profiling, all aligned with NMDC’s environmental and sustainability mandates.
Beyond this achievement, Etermar is also intensifying its role in the renewable energy sector, leveraging its expertise in floating concrete structures to support offshore wind farms and energy islands. The company is currently engaged in the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm project in the Baltic Sea for Ørsted and PGE, reflecting its commitment to innovation and global sustainability goals.
This successful venture in Abu Dhabi not only showcases technical excellence but also sets a new benchmark for marine infrastructure in the UAE, while reinforcing both NMDC and Etermar's positions as global leaders in integrated maritime and sustainable engineering solutions.
