Handled by local real estate developer Nakheel, the project calls for the construction of facilities for the design, manufacture and repair of vessels, research centres for management, marketing, education and recreation, related maritime services and administrative buildings. Project costs are estimated at AED 650 million ($177 million).

The facility, to be located at a site between Port Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, will be built as a peninsula over an area of 25 million square feet. DMC will be connected to the mainland by a causeway. Australia's GHD has carried out the masterplan; Woods Bagot, also of Australia, has the contract to provide architectural guidelines and carry out conceptual work. The development will also serve as the new site for the Jadaf shipyard, which is planned to be relocated from Dubai creek.

A selection is also due for the position of project manager. Bidders for the contract include Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons International, Hill International and Turner Construction International, all of the US, and Australia's Bovis Lend Lease.

Four companies - Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction (Overseas); the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct; South Africa's Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East), with Interbetonof the Netherlands; and the local Target Engineering Construction Company - have been shortlisted for the 18-month design and build quay wall package. It will involve the construction of about three kilometres of quay wall, shiplift support structures, a slipway and a finger pier. Halcrow has prepared basic designs.

A team of Archirodon and Ballast Ham Dredgingof the Netherlands is already executing the breakwater and land reclamation work covering the dredging of 30 million cubic metres of material and the development of an outer breakwater.