In the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis, infrastructure investment slowed across much of Europe. But elsewhere, new horizons were emerging. Across the Gulf region, ambitious plans for ports, coastal infrastructure, and industrial development created many fresh opportunities.

As maritime trade expanded, the Port of Dammam in Saudi Arabia faced severe congestion, prompting a major expansion program between 1975 and 1980. DEME, as part of a joint venture, played a central role in the port’s transformation. The joint venture dredged an extraordinary 48 million m³, creating a 400-meter-wide navigation channel capable of accommodating larger vessels.

Extremely challenging soil conditions pushed both people and equipment to their limits, with the cutting tools wearing down at a staggering rate. On cutter suction dredger Reina Fabiola alone, crews replaced up to 500 cutter teeth per day, supported by a dedicated team of on-site welders.

With the nearest repair port more than two weeks' sailing time away, self-reliance was essential. Teams tackled several emergencies with remarkable ingenuity, from repairing hull damage on the Antwerpen IV, to lifting a damaged tug directly out of the water.

The Dammam project led to further opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including important developments in Jubail on the Gulf coast and Yanbu on the Red Sea. The Dammam chapter reflects many of the qualities that still define the company today: bold engineering, resilience in the face of adversity, and the determination to succeed far from home.