Gulf Cobla and its predecessor company Cobla mark over three decades of service to the region. The firm, which was established in 1977 to carry out dredging, reclamation and associated marine operations, is owned by leading companies in the Gulf - Dubai Transport Company of the UAE and Saudi Binladin Group of Saudi Arabia.

"Dubai Transport Company, a Dubai-registered company wholly owned by UAE nationals and a founding member of Gulf Cobla, holds a 51 per cent of the firm's share capital while Saudi Binladin Group holds the remaining 49 per cent since 1990," says Hendrik Jan de Kluiver, deputy general manager of the UAE-based company.

"This association of two large groups, very active in the fields of building, haulage, road construction, civil engineering (among others) and both with strong regional ties, places considerable opportunity and resources at the disposal of Gulf Cobla," he points out.

"Having successfully completed a number of major dredging and reclamation works as well as many smaller projects, Gulf Cobla now enjoys substantial resources in its own right, and has a good standing in the industry," de Kluiver adds.

The company's head office in Dubai is staffed by a well-established team of management professionals, all with considerable experience in international dredging and other marine operations, according to him.

"This management expertise is backed by a nucleus of experienced operational personnel of various nationalities. Additional personnel for the execution of major works can be called upon as needed and in accordance with contract circumstances and any special requirements of the client," says de Kluiver.

Gulf Cobla also has branch offices elsewhere in the UAE to support operations in the other emirates, various local organisations in a number of places in the region and a services/support branch is maintained in the Netherlands.

He continues: "Gulf Cobla owns a small fleet of cutter suction dredgers, a backhoe dredger and various barges (fuel, water and split-hopper barges), a substantial number of workboats (in the range from 190 to 500 hp) and floating cranes (in the range from 6 to 35 tonnes).

"The latest addition to the marine spread is a purpose-built shallow draft, air-conditioned, fully-equipped survey boat. All plant is equipped with appropriate communication and safety devices. The dredgers all undergo specialised maintenance and are in a high state of readiness. Up-to-date computer, operating, alarm and positioning systems have been installed to ensure continuity and quality during project execution. For major projects, additional plant can be brought in but for normal operations, Gulf Cobla is completely self-supporting for the marine, land-based and survey aspect of any dredging and reclamation work.

"Additionally, in-house, on-the-job training of qualified engineers ensures that routine and minor specialised technical repairs can be executed on the spot, minimising delay during project execution. Recently, the main workshop has been upgraded. It can handle most of the major repairs and fabrication projects related to the execution of dredging works. The support yard consists of specialised workshops for welding, including cutter refit/repair works, earthmoving equipment major overhaul and all other dredging-related repair and maintenance facilities.

"Recently, Gulf Cobla was accredited ISO 9002:1994 for its complete scope of operation: dredging, survey, reclamation ad resource hire. This achievement has been made possible by the input of all employees.

"By introducing various calibration and execution procedures, various aspects of a dredging project are more easily traced. By continuously improving on our performance, we can guarantee all our clients that contracts will be executed in line with their expectations and a quality products will be delivered. For Gulf Cobla, the ISO 9002:1994 is just the first step towards a more streamlined and efficient operation. By continuously improving on our quality system, we endeavour to supply our client base with the best possible product at a very competitive price level."

"The dredgers Garhoud Bay and Deira Bay have recently been equipped with a state-of-the-art Dredge Profile Computer (DPC). To improve on efficiency and to ensure that specifications of clients can be achieved, both dredgers have been equipped with hardware and software packages, specially designed by and for Gulf Cobla. The dredge operator can monitor the various key aspects of the dredging process and the exact cutter position is graphically displayed at all times. Part of the dredging process is now automated and the result will, therefore, be consistently in line with stringent requirements and specifications.

"In addition to this, a specialised software package is under construction which will allow supervisory staff to track dredge performance in detail and based on collected information, adapt the dredging process in order to improve on accuracy of the actual dredging or to improve on production and efficiency figures."

De Kluiver continues: "Recent and ongoing projects in the UAE include the following: dredging an inland channel approximately 12 km in length; construction of a number of islands for the erection of a 400 kV overhead line; and dredging a basin for the Ministry of Defence.

"Furthermore, Gulf Cobla's equipment is involved with the excavation for the breakwater construction at the Sohar Port project and with trenching for a pipeline in Iran. Flexibility and local expertise are the cornerstones for Gulf Cobla. As the firm can mobilise locally, smaller projects can be executed at far lower prices and within acceptable time frames.

"Gulf Cobla has all in-house facilities to execute topographic and hydrographic survey at a high professional level. To ensure quality performance, all survey equipment is frequently factory-calibrated and the survey department has the latest DGPS (digital global positioning systems) equipment and specialised survey software at its disposal."

De Kluiver concludes: "Gulf Cobla is a small but professional player in the local dredging industry and can supply clients with advice, expertise and a quality product. This could be a dredging, reclamation or stockpiling project or topographic or hydrographic survey or hire out resources of plant and personnel for the assistance on specialised projects."