Coffee with NMDC Dredging & Marine CEO Niels de Bruijn: EnterpriseAM sat down with Niels de Bruijn, CEO of NMDC Dredging & Marine, on the sidelines of this year’s TransMea forum. As the subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-based marine services leader NMDC Group expands its regional and international presence, we got Niels’s insights on their current and planned projects, and on how his company is navigating expansion amid a volatile period for global trade and regional geopolitics.

EnterpriseAM: What are some exciting developments you see happening in the regional logistics sector, and how is your company capitalizing on these?

Niels de Bruijn (NB): We are excited about lots of development in ports and infrastructure in the UAE and the region. NMDC Dredging & Marine is also involved in clean energy projects, such as the Ruwais LNG terminal, where several ongoing development projects aim to revamp oil and gas infrastructure.

We also now know that oil and gas are here to stay. The market is set to stay stable and not go away for the next 10 to 20 years because energy needs are doubling. Experts predict that oil demand will remain at 100 mn bbl/d until 2040. This doesn’t take away from the fact that sustainable energy sources, including wind, solar, and nuclear energy are needed – but we still need oil and gas.

This stable outlook is set to translate into more investment in the logistics of exporting LNG and oil, not only in the UAE but also in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Building on this, we also expect that the container business will continue to grow, meaning demand for ports, bigger ports, and deeper ports will also grow.

But of course, some risks remain. While generally optimistic, NMDC acknowledges the risk that the market can be disturbed by ongoing geopolitical tensions.

EnterpriseAM: In response to the volatile global trade environment, what strategic measures is NMDC taking regarding international expansion?

NB: NMDC is focused on diversifying its projects and expanding on an international scale. Working in different markets helps the company tap into new windows and keep its growth moving. For example, the company’s primary historical focus was the Middle East, mainly Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Now, NMDC is running projects in Taiwan and Manila. Looking ahead, the company is exploring select markets in Asia and North Africa.

EnterpriseAM: What are some milestones your company is striving toward over the coming year (2026)?

NB: We are still hoping for some more extension projects within the Suez Canal, where we've been working since 2014, with traffic hopefully picking up and returning to the canal as global trade routes normalize. This could include the duplication of the Suez Canal, as well as the expansion of its southern parts. These would be development projects we would really be keen on following and being a part of.

EnterpriseAM: Are you looking into expanding your projects portfolio in Egypt?

NB: Egypt has been an important market for NMDC for many years, and we remain optimistic about its long-term potential. Last year, we delivered four major projects across the Suez Canal, Alexandria, Damietta, and Safaga, while this year has naturally seen a quieter period. As trade flows normalize, we expect to see renewed momentum.

We are also following major national projects, and see that there are several which fit well with NMDC’s strengths and to which NMDC has the potential to contribute its marine dredging expertise, as well as its unique capabilities and industry knowledge in infrastructure and development.

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