Is The World sinking?

Is The World sinking?

As if Dubai World and Nakheel didn't have enough problems already, rumours are circulating that their much-delayed, high-profile man made archipelago The World is now sinking into the sea...

The 300 island development has only just had work recommence on it, but aerial photos taken from the International Space Station seem to show the outlines of the islands submerging and merging together. It is believed that the disrepair the project has fallen into over 2009 as well as delayed works has started to affect the outlines of the islands as the water starts to erode them.

The island foundations required 11 billion cubic feet of sand and 47 million tonnes of rock when construction began in 2003, but since production halted in 2008 barely any progress has been made on the site.

While Dubai World have countered allegations that site will never be finished, the company is still in heavy debt despite a $11 billion bail out by Abu Dhabi.

Wholly inaccurate allegations?

It is unsurprising then that Nakheel have strenuously denied that the islands are sinking and have called any such rumours "wholly inaccurate".

In a statement, the developer said "Speculative reports suggesting that The World islands are sinking are wholly inaccurate,"

"The islands were finished some years ago and there has been no subsidence since. A system known as vibro-compaction was used to increase the load-bearing capacity of the reclaimed land mass," it said.

"This process causes the soil to vibrate vigorously, minimising the tiny air gaps between the sand particles and locking the particle corners and edges together, which in turn lead to very deliberate and calculated compaction and settlement. The load-bearing capacity of The World islands is about twice that of mainland Dubai."

The statement also said, "A suggestion also that some of the islands have slipped and spread into each other is also completely incorrect. The islands at the centre of The World were merged purposely to create land for specific developments.

"We have currently sold around 70 per cent of the islands and development has begun [as reported earlier by Emirates Business] by a number of the owners - further testament to the fact that the islands are as solid as the rock they are built upon," it added.

Despite this, a number of media outlets have run with the NASA image, further tarnishing The World's already bruised reputation.

Relevant articles:

Construction recommences at The World | Work to recommence on THe World | The cancelled Dubai mega projects

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