ع
NMDC Group has inaugurated its latest self-propelled heavy-duty cutter suction dredger named ‘Abu Al Bakhoush’ at a ceremony in Nantong, China, according to a statement from the Abu Dhabi-based company. The 148-metre vessel, built by Jiangsu Haixin Shipping Heavy Industry, offers a maximum dredging depth of 38 metres and features a 7.8-megawatt cutter along with 30,040 kilowatts of total installed power. It holds GREEN PASSPORT certification, confirming its alignment with international environmental standards for marine operations.
The event drew a delegation of regional and international clients, business partners, maritime experts and shipyard leaders who inspected the dredger, NMDC Group reported. This addition forms part of the company’s ongoing fleet modernisation, which already encompasses more than 170 vessels across its integrated marine and engineering portfolio. Officials used the occasion to highlight how the new asset will improve efficiency in executing complex dredging, reclamation and harbour development tasks.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi attended the inauguration and commented on its broader implications. “Abu Al Bakhoush combines Chinese shipbuilding expertise with the marine experience of a UAE national champion, reflecting the mutual benefits of our strategic partnership with China,” he said. Al Zeyoudi added that the launch, coinciding with NMDC Group’s 50th anniversary, illustrates how Emirati enterprises are transforming economic relationships into concrete advancements that elevate the UAE’s global standing.
NMDC Group said the dredger supports its long-term goals of international growth, sustainable development and shareholder value creation while addressing a project backlog that stood at AED 62.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025. The vessel will enable higher precision work on navigation channels, trenches and port infrastructure across the Middle East, Asia and beyond. Company executives noted that such capacity increases allow faster delivery on awarded contracts without compromising safety or environmental compliance.
A Global Data Route Analytics report projected the Middle East dredging market to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.8 percent between 2024 and 2032, driven by port expansions, coastal infrastructure and land reclamation initiatives. NMDC Group has already secured projects in the Philippines, Oman and Taiwan that align with this regional momentum, according to its filings. The new dredger will further strengthen the firm’s competitive position in a sector where demand for advanced, self-propelled assets continues to rise.
The inauguration follows the keel-laying ceremony held in January 2026 and precedes the vessel’s full operational deployment in the coming months, the company indicated. NMDC Group, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, has steadily scaled its marine engineering capabilities to meet requirements from government, energy and renewable sectors. This latest delivery underscores the group’s commitment to deploying cutting-edge technology that supports both domestic priorities and overseas expansion.
