NMDC Dredging & Marine Launches Coastal and Hydrodynamic Centre, Localizing Offshore Structural Testing
The NMDC Coastal and Hydrodynamic Centre has officially launched in Abu Dhabi, representing a significant advancement in regional maritime engineering. This facility positions the UAE as a leading hub for innovative engineering solutions in the maritime sector.
Facility Overview and Capabilities
Operated by NMDC Dredging & Marine, a subsidiary of the ADX-listed NMDC Group, the centre spans 60 metres by 50 metres and stands 10 metres tall. It is specifically designed to conduct physical model tests for marine and coastal structures, alongside advanced hydraulic studies. As one of only 20 commercial laboratories of its kind globally—and the first hydraulic physical modelling centre owned by a contractor—the facility enables the local modelling, validation, and optimization of complex coastal and offshore structures.
Niels de Bruijn, CEO of NMDC Dredging & Marine, emphasized the facility’s potential to streamline project timelines and reduce costs for regional marine infrastructure projects. He noted that previously, testing abroad limited control over schedules and incurred additional travel costs for engineers and clients. With the new facility in the UAE, NMDC can now manage access, schedules, and collaboration more effectively, leading to long-term cost reductions and improved efficiency.
Advanced Testing Infrastructure
Located in Musaffah, the centre features a 3D wave basin, a 2D wave flume, wave generation systems, and instrumentation for monitoring and data acquisition, along with dedicated laboratories and offices. Typical marine structures, such as breakwaters, revetments, coastal defenses, and quay walls, are scaled down for controlled laboratory testing. These models undergo rigorous testing against waves, currents, and varying water levels to validate and optimize designs before construction.
Alessandro Gallus, engineering manager at NMDC Dredging & Marine, stated that this process significantly mitigates technical uncertainties associated with complex marine phenomena, thereby enhancing confidence in the solutions provided.
The centre also supports research initiatives in renewable energy infrastructure, nature-based engineering solutions, and hybrid coastal defense concepts. Its inaugural project involved hydraulic testing of a physical breakwater model for the Salalah Marine Development Project, showcasing the centre’s capabilities.
Importance of Physical Modelling
Physical modelling remains crucial in maritime engineering, as it offers advantages over computational fluid dynamics (CFD). De Bruijn explained that while designs may appear flawless in simulations, physical testing often uncovers weaknesses that necessitate redesign. Gallus added that large-scale numerical simulations require substantial processing power and can only evaluate a limited range of conditions.
By employing physical modelling, engineers can observe real behavior, validate assumptions, and comprehend interactions that software cannot reliably simulate. The 3D basin allows for the replication of extensive real structures within a confined space, maintaining accuracy despite not using seawater. The scaling process accounts for differences in water and material density, ensuring that the scaled model behaves as the actual structure would under environmental forces.
Structures are also subjected to conditions that exceed their expected life cycles, such as wave return periods. For instance, if a structure is designed for a 50-year lifespan, it will be tested against wave conditions with both 50-year and 100-year return periods.
Streamlined Project Timelines
The facility caters to both NMDC Group’s internal teams and external stakeholders, providing a comprehensive solution that encompasses design, testing, and construction—all in-house. De Bruijn noted that clients in the UAE and the broader region can visit the facility, observe testing in real-time, and engage directly with the team, enhancing convenience and collaboration.
This localized approach allows NMDC to prioritize urgent projects, eliminating the lengthy wait times associated with commercial laboratories abroad. Project timelines vary based on complexity; a standard project in the 3D basin typically requires three to four months for design, model construction, testing, validation, and client approval. In contrast, projects in the smaller 2D flume can be completed more rapidly, with fast-track projects taking about one month.
While the facility primarily serves NMDC’s Dredging and Marine division, it has potential applications across other business units within the NMDC Group. The centre will also be accessible to third-party clients, academic institutions, and research organizations, operating as a commercial service akin to international testing laboratories.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-31 16:40:00 • By the Editorial Desk
