United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

Das Island

Cutting-edge marine logistics

To support the expansion of oil and gas operations on Das Island, BESIX was entrusted with the design, production, transport, and installation of massive reinforced concrete blocks. Operating in a remote and weather-sensitive environment, BESIX successfully delivered the project on time, showcasing its expertise in marine logistics and offshore construction.

Project overview

Das Island, located approximately 160 kilometres off the coast of Abu Dhabi, is a strategic hub for oil and gas production operated by Adgas, a subsidiary of ADNOC. In 2011, the island underwent a significant expansion to accommodate new industrial infrastructure, including jetties and protective marine structures. BESIX was selected to execute the marine construction works, delivering a seamless operation despite the island’s remote location and unpredictable weather conditions.

Scope of work

BESIX was responsible for the full lifecycle of the marine construction project, including:

Fabrication of reinforced concrete blocks of various sizes, weighing up to 100 tonnes each

Marine transport of the blocks from a production facility in Ajman to Das Island

Precision installation using Differential GPS and underwater cameras

The project required meticulous planning and execution to ensure the safe and timely delivery of materials and infrastructure components.

Key highlights

Remote logistics: BESIX managed a complex supply chain across hundreds of kilometres of open sea, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of materials.

Precision engineering: Installation of concrete blocks was executed with high accuracy using advanced positioning systems and underwater monitoring.

Resilience in difficult conditions: With only half the year offering workable weather, BESIX maintained operational continuity through proactive planning and spare part availability.

Sustainable execution: Off-site fabrication minimized environmental impact on the island and optimized resource use.

The real challenge of concreting on a far-flung island isn’t the production. It’s keeping the supply chain from breaking down under tough circumstances – which is exactly what we did.