Sorouh Real Estate has awarded the Shams Abu Dhabi Marina and seawall project to Athena, a Greek contractor specialised in marine-related construction industry.

The scope of the Dh62.95 million ($17.15 million) project, involves the construction of a marina and two seawalls along the island parameters on Shams Abu Dhabi, which is Sorouh's flagship project being built on Reem Island.
The first seawall will be of concrete blocks reinforced with rockfill behind, covering 2 km of the island along the north and east coasts of Shams Abu Dhabi.
“Athena was chosen because it is renowned worldwide for its experience in the field of marine engineering and construction,” said Mounir Haidar, CEO of Sorouh, adding: “the second wall would surround the Shams Marina on the east coast. The 9 m Marina Quay Wall will be constructed using precast mass concrete blocks with rockfill behind it. The wall will be 730 m long and include 130 berths. The marina is positioned to serve as the hub of Shams Abu Dhabi's water transportation network, supplementing the development's canals. It will be equipped to serve motor and sailing boats ranging up to 35 m long. Construction work will be completed in 300 days.
It will occupy an area of over 1.560 million sq m, accounting for about 25 per cent of Reem Island. Residential projects will occupy 80 per cent of the overall project while the remaining 20 per cent will be dedicated for commercial use and recreational facilities.
The first phase of Shams Abu Dhabi is expected to be completed by 2009 and the full project is scheduled for completion in 2011. Shams Abu Dhabi will be home for about 70,000 people.