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NMDC Group, an engineering, procurement, construction and marine dredging conglomerate, has been awarded a AED130m ($35.3m) contract by Jubail Island Investment Company for its Abu Dhabi Mangrove Sanctuary.
In its filing to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), NMDC specified that the project scope includes channel widening works in Areas 2 & 3, within the heart of the mangrove project.
The entire contract work is likely to be completed extremely quickly: slated for 180 days.
A leading provider of dredging, reclamation, and marine construction projects in the Middle East, NMDC has a strong international presence, with a portfolio of upcoming projects in the Middle East, SE Asia and South Asia regions.
This win comes close on the heels of NMDC being awarded a major contract by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the proposed construction of the Al Nouf artificial island. Valued at $137m, this project will see NMDC dredge the surrounding waterways, build the island’s new foundations and create the full infrastructure for an important new energy hub. Al Nouf is strategically located west of Abu Dhabi city.
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Bahrain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has signed an agreement with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for Phase 3 of the kingdom’s Sitra housing project.
Under the agreement, CMEC will construct 1,269 new housing units at a total cost of BD119m ($314m).
Phase 3 will include secondary infrastructure services, and will commence in Q1 2025.
The Sitra Housing Project stands as a model of integrated urban development, designed to blend residential units with expansive green spaces, advanced road networks, waterfronts, cycling and pedestrian paths, and a comprehensive array of services, including educational, health, and commercial facilities.
At the signing ceremony, Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, explained that Phase 3 of the Sitra housing project (which is part of the ministry’s plan to provide comprehensive housing services for citizens), is also the largest in terms of numbers of housing units. It is also the final phase in the construction timeline.
Present at the ceremony was Wang Bo, Director of the Board of Directors, CMEC.
The minister said the third phase will span 670,000 sq. m. and feature a 23.6-km-long main and secondary road network; in addition to a 22.8 km sewage network, and 27.6 km rainwater drainage network.
The signing of this agreement comes just three months after the inauguration of the second phase, which included 531 housing units.
Phase 3 will also include 36 electricity substations, six telecom towers, and various service facilities including a shopping mall, five commercial centres, three schools, an auditorium, and a child development centre.
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Cundall has placed Dubai-based Olga Litkovets into its international leadership team as part of a series of partner appointments within the global, multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy.
Olga Litkovets joins three other new partners – David Rivers in London, Wojtek Stec in Warsaw, and Jose Castilla in Spain.
The firm confirmed that the new appointments take the number of partners to 51 and will help strengthen “Cundall’s existing leadership team and pave the way for continued global growth.”
Based in Dubai, Olga first joined Cundall in 2017 as Head of Business Development and Marketing in MENA. Cundall explained that she has become an integral part of MENA’s leadership team, helping to solidify client relationships and grow Cundall’s profile in the region.
In 2023, she was promoted to lead a team of 40 as Global Director of Business Development and Marketing.
“Over the past seven years, I have been proud to witness Cundall’s remarkable growth, strengthening our team and diverse portfolio of projects,” said Litkovets. “From a Guinness World Record breaking rollercoaster to city-wide masterplans to preserving the Dark Skies in Saudi Arabia – just to name a few.
“As I transition into this new role, I’m excited to not only continue the work I’ve been driving, but also take it to the next level. Our success and work-winning on such a unique and diverse range of projects across multiple sectors is a testament to the trust our clients place in us. It is a testament to the incredible talent within our organisation, and that is the greatest reward.”
In recent years, Olga has also extended her influence on the wider business as chair of Cundall’s EMENA Board and helped to establish Cundall’s business in KSA. Commenting on Olga’s appointment as a Partner, Cundall Managing Partner, Carole O’Neil, said: “I am so pleased to welcome Olga to our global senior team. Her passion and dedication to building client relationships and growing the reputation of our business is felt not just in MENA, but around the global practice. She is an innovative leader and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in our industry, and I know her contribution to the leadership team will be invaluable as we work together to continue growing the business internationally.”
Other key regional appointments include Jon Lee to Associate Director and Head of Specialisms MENA. In this new role, Jon will continue leading the acoustics team whilst providing strategic support to strengthen Cundall’s specialist disciplines in the region. Since joining Cundall in 2017, Jon has seen the acoustics team go from strength to strength, both delivering and contributing to many award-winning environmental and building acoustics projects across the Middle East and beyond. He is passionate about providing innovative acoustic solutions, particularly where there is an opportunity for technologies such as Virtual Acoustic Reality (VAR) to be embraced.
Fazel Bashir also steps in to become UAE Head of Structures, as the team expands to meet increasing demand for complex and large-scale projects. Fazel is a chartered engineer with 20 years structural engineering experience, delivering projects ranging from high rise residential and commercial towers to retail and airports. Fazel has a great reputation with clients for his technical knowledge, experience and professionalism.
Commenting on the promotions within Cundall’s MENA leadership team, Lee French, Partner and Managing Director MENA said:
“I am thrilled by the expanded capabilities these appointments bring to our senior regional leadership team. Jon and Fazel’s leadership and expertise will continue to be instrumental as we deliver exceptional projects for our clients.
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Dubai has approved the master plan for the Jebel Ali Beach Development Project. Set to extend 6.6km, the beach is poised to become a distinctive recreational destination, and a key focal point for environmental preservation and local ecosystems.
In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to create the world’s best public beaches in the emirate, the project was approved by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
Jebel Ali Beach will be the largest public beach in Dubai, covering an area of 330ha. The plan includes developing two adjacent zones: a long, sandy beach to be developed by Nakheel and a 1.6km mangrove beach to be developed by Dubai Municipality. The area features a unique ecosystem due to the presence of mangrove trees, which enhance value as a ‘sanctuary’ and provide habitats for many living organisms.
The plan includes a 2km open swimable beach, a 2.5km diving sports area, a walkway with viewing platforms to blend with the surrounding environment, and recreational and service areas for beachgoers of all ages, including kids play zones, sports and marine activity areas. The beach will be connected with integrated infrastructure, including a two-lane road in each direction, parking for 1,000 vehicles, 80 bicycle racks, a cycling track, and a 5km running track.
Sheikh Hamdan commented: “Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are committed to developing the infrastructure and services needed to offer diverse urban experiences for citizens, residents, and visitors. Our focus is on creating spaces rich in beaches, open areas, and recreational greens. The ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being of the city’s people, create a healthy environment for all and make Dubai the world’s best place to live in.”
“The Jebel Ali Beach Development Project is part of a broader master plan to develop public beaches in the emirate aimed at increasing the total length of beaches by 400%. This involves adding new public beaches, enhancing existing ones, and equipping them with new recreational, sports, aesthetic, and investment facilities as envisioned in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” he concluded.
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Sobha Realty has started work on a new flagship community mall, set to be the focal point of the Sobha Hartland development. The project, which is being set up at an estimated cost of US $57mn will blend the vibrancy of leading-edge retail with the landscaped serenity of an urban park, the developer said.
With a built-up area of 339,000sqft and a gross leasable area of around 115,000sqft, the project will house a variety of amenities, including a supermarket, gym, play courts, a soft play/entertainment zone and diverse restaurants offering a wide range of food choices.
It will feature 35 retail shops and F&B outlets, along with 10 select dining options, creating a complete gastronomic destination for the surrounding community. The mall is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2026.
Ravi Menon, the Co-Chairman of Sobha Group said, “We are delighted to unveil our new mall, which is a testament to our long-standing commitment towards elevating living experiences for our residents. The project underscores our vision to create integrated and community-focused spaces that seamlessly combine convenience while offering multi-tier retail stores, gourmet dining and diverse entertainment options. Beyond a retail space, the mall is designed to be a pivotal hub for community engagement that offers an ideal blend of nature, culture and recreation that will elevate the living quotient of community members and visitors.”
The project marks Sobha Realty’s strategic foray into the UAE’s retail sector, emphasising its commitment to delivering exceptional living experiences.
The mall will also have a strong accent on biophilic features to help foster sustainability, with substantial greenery, water conduits, energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, green building materials and a skylight roof for natural light.
Additionally, it will feature a variety of unique architectural elements, such as a vibrant bowl with a cascading void stretching from the basement to the roof, and a media screen strategically placed on the facade to enhance community messaging.
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