Van Oord, a leading international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects, has been awarded the contract for the marine works at Dubai Harbour in the UAE.

A new waterfront destination, Dubai Harbour will feature the largest marina in the Middle East. To be developed by Meraas on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah.

The 20-million-sq-ft project features Dubai Lighthouse, a tower housing a luxury hotel and an observation deck. It will also boast a 150,000-sq-ft cruise liner terminal, as well as entertainment and retail space.

Van Oord, which is carrying out for Projects Link Contracting Company, will dredging the 12-km navigation channel, reclaim land and execute vibro-compaction, remarks Jan Willem Elleswijk, the area manager at Van Oord.

It will use a large trailing suction hopper dredger and a high-tech self-propelled cutter suction dredger.

The company aims to start the work this month (September) and is set to complete it by mid-2019.