Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) has awarded an AED 50+ mn marine works contract to National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) for the AED 5 bn mixed-use Jubail Island megaproject in Abu Dhabi, which is set to last for eight months long, Invest-Gate reports.

NMDC has already started on-site works, which include widening and enhancing more than seven kilometers of existing waterways, alongside supporting the propagation of new forests, JICC said in a released statement on July 23. In addition, more mangroves will be planted on the island to promote biodiversity, besides the restoration of water circulation to previously stressed mangrove forests. 

Commenting on the award, Richard Russell, CEO of Lead Development – the development management firm overseeing Jubail Island, stated, “With enabling and marine works having commenced on the island, we are well on track to hand over plots as early as mid-2021. The timely delivery of this showcase project as per the highest construction and environmental standards is our utmost priority.”

On another note, last May, JIIC had selected Gulf Contractors Company (GCC) to execute enabling works for Jubail Island, which are scheduled for completion in January 2020. The scope of work involves the excavation and placement of 2.5 mn cubic meters of material for the formation level for 40 kilometers of roadways and over 800 residential units. 

Poised to become Abu Dhabi’s most desirable residential sanctuary, the megaproject extends over 400 acres, comprising six investment zones, dubbed “Marafaa Al Jubail, Nad Al Dhabi, Seef Al Jubail, Ain Al Maha, Souk Al Jubail, and Bed’a Al Jubail,” according to the statement. 

The Abu Dhabi-based development was officially launched last April, exhibiting that it will consist of 400 single-family and 400 multi-family homes. This comes on top of encapsulating a mix of serviced plots, high-end and mid-range properties, community facilities, an office park, as well as, a wide range of retail and food and beverage (F&B) outlets.