Nakheel has awarded a Palm Jebel Ali marine works contract worth AED 810 million to Jan De Nul Dredging LTD, a subsidiary of the internationally renowned Jan De Nul Group. The Belgian specialist will carry out dredging, land reclamation, beach profiling, and sand placement — the foundational work needed to prepare the site for luxury villa construction across every frond of this iconic artificial island.
Contract Scope and Timeline
Mobilisation is already under way. The marine works are expected to be completed in just over two years, with the first eight fronds targeted to be site-ready by Q1 2025. That milestone will mark the start of villa infrastructure and civil construction, moving Palm Jebel Ali firmly into its next development phase.
In parallel, Nakheel has awarded additional infrastructure contracts for new public access roads from Sheikh Zayed Road and for improved road connectivity and lighting between the Dubai mainland and Palm Jebel Ali — ensuring seamless integration as the broader project advances.
Strategic Significance for Dubai
Palm Jebel Ali was envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as a world-class waterfront destination combining residential living with state-of-the-art leisure facilities. The development directly supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which targets a significant expansion of public beach access across the emirate.
Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive of Dubai Holding Real Estate, underscored the importance of the partnership: "Partnering with Jan De Nul Dredging reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation." He noted that Jan De Nul's specialisation in marine and environmental work positions the company to deliver on the project's ambitious objectives.
Project Scale and Phase 1 Handover
Stretching 13.4 kilometres in length with 16 fronds and 91 kilometres of beaches, Palm Jebel Ali is one of the largest waterfront developments in the world. The new development is structured around the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan's goals for liveable, sustainable urban growth.
Phase 1 — comprising more than 700 frond villas — is planned for handover by the end of 2026, representing a key milestone in the island's transformation from reclaimed land to a fully operational residential and leisure destination.
