About 11 companies were prequalified to bid for the two-year contract, which calls for the dredging of up to 125 million cubic metres, reclamation and the construction of an 18-kilometre breakwater. Van Oord will be assisted by Ballast Ham Dredging, also of the Netherlands, in carrying out the dredging works. Some 13 million tonnes of rock material will be required.

Globe Island represents the first-phase development of The World project, which calls for the construction of 200 islands, a series of waterways, canals and lakes. Phase 1 will cover the construction of 30 islands ranging in size from 40,000-800,000 square metres over a 24-square-kilometre area. Each island will be home to hotels, residential apartments and entertainment facilities.

The development, to be built five kilometres off Jumeirah beach, will be located between Palm Jumeirah and Port Rashid. The client is the local Nakheel.