Fujairah Northern Land Reclamation Project – Phase 1 completed

On the October 7th 2011 Fujairah literally got bigger… by a total square area of 224 hectares. The ambitious venture entails a land in sea reclamation project, which upon completion will stretch 500 m (1,640 ft) from the coastline into the sea and will be enclosed by a coastal protection structure (revetment). The total surface area gained by the reclamation is 2.24 km2 (0.864 mi2) along the Fujairah-Khorfakkan coastal road. 

 

Phase 1 has officially been completed and certification of handover was presented by Jan Udink, MUC Engineering, Managing Director, (Project Consultants) to Abdul Ghafour Behroozian, Chairman, Fujairah Bulk Shipping (FBS) and Spyridon Gerontopoulos, Project Manager, Athena S.A.

 

Rock was supplied by FBS who also were responsible for installation and compaction work and the coastal protection works were carried out by Athena S.A. 

 

Recognising Fujairah’s strategic importance some much needed land has been created utilising the emirates natural resources thanks to the remarkable vision and commitment of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah. 

 

It was of the utmost importance this ambitious venture was done quickly and efficiently and with that in mind, all new plant and equipment was purchased and in December 2008 construction began to reclaim land offshore.

 

A purpose built four-lane underpass was constructed to allow 2,500 truck trips per day to deliver 56.9 million tonnes rock, 24 hours, seven days without causing any disturbance to daily traffic using the Fujairah Khorfakkan coastal road. 

 

A dedicated rock quarry nearby was also commissioned and over the next 30 months extraordinary lengths were taken to complete the project.

 

The project cost was over one billion dirhams and has created the much needed land mass required for oil storage and other industrial developments. With established companies, Vopak Horizon Fujairah, Fujairah Refinery Co. Ltd. and Gulf Petroleum already attracted to the emirate by its strategic location, Fujairah continues to strengthen its position as a regional oil hub.

 

The dynamics of the city are ever changing and one can only perceive this project will be seen as a catalyst for more development in the Emirate of Fujairah in the future.

 

Abdul Ghafour Behroozian, said that he was proud that Fujairah Bulk Shipping which is partly owned by the Government of Fujairah, had been a part of the biggest and most significant project development to happen in Fujairah. The venture was a landmark in cooperation between all the main parties to the complete the project on schedule and within budget, so well done to all!

 

Phase 2 of the project is progressing on schedule and the completed land mass will also be used for processing and storing oil. This area is part of the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ).

 

Two thirds of UAE’s oil is expected to be shipped out of Fujairah with the completion of the oil pipeline from Abu Dhabi. And with the new Fujairah-Dubai highway - which will reduce the drive time between the Emirates, considerably - Fujairah's continues to consolidate its position as a major fuel terminal.