7 March 2006, Dubai, UAE: Dubai Maritime City has signed a contract with Van Oord/Belhasa Six JV for the construction of 3.5 km of quay walls with water depths of up to 10m at high tide. The completion of the quay wall is expected to take 20 months, and will be conducted in a phased manner starting with the industrial precinct. Other construction phases of the industrial precinct includes preparation of the ship lift area, which is ongoing. The quay wall of the industrial precinct will be finalized by the end of the year when other phases will follow.

The area is cordoned by walls and is planned around two separate basins around 12 to 14 metres deep. The first one will be a rectangular shipyard basin measuring approximately 600m long by 450m wide. Berthing facilities are provided to the North, South and East of the site and two shiplifts of 6000 tonne capacity and 3000 tonne capacity will be provided to the West of the basin.

"The quay walls mark a new phase in the Dubai Maritime City project and we are pleased with the rapid progress of construction" said Amer Ali, Project Manager of Dubai Maritime City. "The peninsula is now taking shape and the quay walls are an important step forward in the overall construction of the industrial precinct.

A slipway or boat ramp, will be provided in the South East corner while a finger pier, for the removal of smaller boats, will be located at the East end of the site. In addition, there will also be sufficient access and storage to the rear of the quay walls for equipment and materials to be used in boat repair and manufacture.

The second basin will be oval, measuring approximately 400m long and 300m at its widest point. The quay walls will be provided at the edge of the marina with a water depth of between 5 and 9 metres. Whilst the basins are linked by an access channel approximately 500 m long.

All quay walls have been designed as pre-cast concrete block on a rock foundation, with the exception of the half a kilometer stretch of area surrounding the ship lifts, which have been designed as sheet piled quay walls in order to accommodate the shiplift mechanisms.

When completed, Dubai Maritime City will serve as the world's most comprehensive maritime complex located on a 216-hectare man-made peninsula between Port Rashid and the Dubai Dry Docks, and surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

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About Dubai Maritime City:
Dubai Maritime City will be a 216-hectare manmade peninsula and will create an iconic multidimensional maritime centre providing a unique world-class environment for the global maritime community. Dubai Maritime City is headed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman.

For more information please contact:
Helen Sell
PR & Marketing
PO Box 17000, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +9714 3243414
Fax: +9714 3244858
Email: Helen.sell@dubaimaritimecity.ae
www.dubaimaritimecity.ae

© Press Release 2006