Introduction
The Middle East is undergoing a rapid transformation of its coastal and marine landscapes, with dredging and land reclamation projects playing a crucial role in shaping the region’s future. Belgium-based DEME Group, one of the world’s leading marine engineering and dredging companies, continues to strengthen its presence in the Middle East by spearheading major projects in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The company’s latest financial update highlights significant progress in NEOM’s Oxagon Phase 2 in Saudi Arabia, as well as key dredging operations in Abu Dhabi and Egypt.
This expansion highlights that Middle East dredging is not only about creating ports and harbors, but also about driving ambitious megaprojects, land reclamation, and sustainable marine infrastructure.
NEOM Oxagon: A Landmark for Dredging in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM gigaproject, valued at $500 billion, represents one of the most ambitious urban developments in the world. At its heart lies Oxagon, envisioned as the world’s largest floating industrial hub, dedicated to advanced and clean industries. For Oxagon’s second phase, DEME has reported significant progress on dry earthmoving works, laying the groundwork for large-scale cutter suction dredging operations scheduled to commence later in 2025.
Cutter suction dredgers are particularly suited for handling compacted soils and seabeds, making them an ideal choice for land reclamation in the shallow coastal waters of the Red Sea. This work is critical for creating the artificial landforms and marine access points that will enable Oxagon to function as a future industrial powerhouse.
By advancing dredging at Oxagon, DEME is helping Saudi Arabia meet its Vision 2030 targets, which prioritize infrastructure development, economic diversification, and sustainability.
Expanding Dredging Operations in Abu Dhabi
In parallel with NEOM, DEME is deploying advanced dredging equipment in Abu Dhabi, another hub of coastal infrastructure growth in the Middle East. The deployment of cutter dredgers in the emirate supports port development, deepening of the shipping channel, and coastal protection works.
Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision relies heavily on maritime logistics, offshore energy, and trade connectivity. Efficient dredging ensures navigable waterways, prevents sediment buildup, and allows for the expansion of industrial ports. DEME’s projects in the UAE showcase how modern dredging combines precision technology with environmental safeguards to maintain both development and ecological balance.
Ongoing Work in Egypt’s Abu Qir Project
Beyond Saudi Arabia and the UAE, DEME continues its dredging and land reclamation efforts in Egypt, particularly on the Abu Qir 2 project. This large-scale marine development involves significant deployment of hopper dredgers and cutter dredgers to reclaim land from the sea and create new urban expansion zones along the Mediterranean coast.
Abu Qir is poised to become a modern port city, and the dredging work ensures the stability and usability of the reclaimed land for future construction projects. The combination of different dredging techniques—hopper dredgers for bulk material removal and cutter dredgers for compacted soils—demonstrates DEME’s versatility in managing complex coastal engineering challenges.
Why Middle East Dredging Matters
The Middle East has become a global hotspot for dredging projects due to its strategic geography, rapid urbanization, and economic diversification plans. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are investing heavily in coastal infrastructure, maritime hubs, and artificial land reclamation to strengthen their global competitiveness.
Dredging in the region plays multiple roles:
- Supporting trade and logistics by ensuring deep, navigable shipping lanes.
- Creating new land for industrial, residential, and tourism projects.
- Protecting coastlines from erosion and rising sea levels.
- Advancing sustainability by using innovative dredging techniques that minimize turbidity and protect marine ecosystems.
DEME’s projects in the Middle East reflect this broader vision, where dredging is not just an engineering task but a foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.
Sustainable Marine Infrastructure: DEME’s Approach
As global attention increasingly focuses on climate resilience, DEME is aligning its dredging operations with sustainability goals. This includes:
- Efficient dredger fleets that reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Environmental monitoring systems that track turbidity and water quality during dredging.
- Sediment reuse strategies where dredged materials are repurposed for land reclamation rather than disposal.
- Long-term coastal resilience by designing dredging projects that account for sea-level rise and extreme weather.
Such practices are vital in the Middle East, where fragile marine ecosystems coexist alongside massive infrastructure projects. By prioritizing sustainable marine infrastructure, DEME sets a benchmark for the future of dredging globally.
Looking Ahead
With its strong foothold in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Egypt, DEME Group is solidifying its role as a key player in Middle East dredging. From preparing the groundwork for Oxagon’s second phase to advancing reclamation at Abu Qir and modernizing Abu Dhabi’s coastal infrastructure, DEME is driving projects that reshape coastlines while enabling economic transformation.
As the Middle East continues to invest in megaprojects and sustainable marine infrastructure, the demand for advanced dredging solutions is expected to grow. Companies like DEME are not just meeting that demand but also shaping the future of marine engineering in one of the world’s fastest-evolving regions.