Delivering Coastal Protection Through Precision Marine Construction

PLC has successfully completed a large-scale coastal protection and marine construction scope in Dubai, involving approximately 550m of beach modification works, the construction of a 320m submerged breakwater, and the modification of two existing groynes through closely coordinated beach and offshore marine operations.

Coordinated Beach & Offshore Marine Operations

The works were delivered through parallel beach and offshore activities requiring continuous coordination between marine operations, land activities, and project stakeholders. Multiple work fronts were managed simultaneously to maintain programme efficiency while ensuring safe and controlled execution throughout the project duration.

At peak activity, more than 100 personnel were coordinated on site while marine transportation movements, sailing permits, welfare logistics, and interfaces with other contractors across the wider development were managed simultaneously.

Submerged Breakwater Construction

A key component of the works involved the construction of a 320m submerged breakwater designed to act as a defence barrier against incoming wave energy before it reaches the shoreline.

While future visitors may simply experience calmer waters near the beach, beneath the surface sits a carefully constructed marine structure requiring precise underwater rock placement, strict tolerances, and continuous survey coordination throughout execution.

The submerged breakwater required controlled marine installation methods and close monitoring to ensure compliance with the required profile, alignment, and design specifications.

Marine Logistics & Equipment Coordination

The works involved the mobilisation and coordination of multiple marine assets and equipment to support offshore transportation and installation activities.

Operations included the use of:

• Feeder barges
• Tugboats
• Survey vessels
• Crew boats
• Long-reach excavators

These resources supported marine transportation, rock placement operations, beach works, and offshore installation activities throughout the project execution.

Detailed logistics planning and operational coordination were required to manage equipment movements, marine access, working windows, and interfaces between offshore and shoreline activities.

Beach Profile Formation & Fill Operations

To construct the beach profile, PLC developed multiple working platforms and executed the works using two primary layers:

• General fill for the bulk profile formation
• Veneer fill using high-quality beach sand as the final surface layer

The beach works were executed in parallel with the marine rock works, requiring continuous coordination between land-based operations and offshore activities to maintain productivity and programme alignment.

Managing Operational Challenges

Throughout the project, the team continuously adapted to operational and logistical challenges by developing practical alternative solutions to maintain progress and efficiency.

PLC also contributed practical construction input during design-stage workshops to support buildability reviews, execution planning, and construction methodology development.

This collaborative and solution-oriented approach supported the successful delivery of the works under complex operational conditions.

Delivering Complex Coastal Infrastructure

Beyond the physical construction activities, the project reflects the importance of planning, coordination, adaptability, and practical marine construction experience in delivering complex coastal infrastructure successfully.

The successful completion of these works demonstrates PLC’s capability to execute technically demanding marine construction and coastal protection projects through controlled operations, detailed logistics coordination, and practical execution strategies.