Anchoring Ambitions: JBR’s Bold Expansion into Dubai's Maritime Future

Setting Sail into New Horizons

Amid a rapidly evolving M&A and corporate finance landscape, JBR is charting a bold course forward with the opening of a new office in the **United Arab Emirates (UAE)**. Nestled in the heart of **Dubai**, this strategic expansion comes through a partnership with industry veteran **Martin Helweg** of the Helweg Group. Helweg will serve as Partner of **JBR UAE**, guiding its local strategy and connecting it to global possibilities.  

This exciting move marks a new chapter in the growth of **JBR's Maritime & Offshore cluster**. As Dubai’s skyline continues to symbolize ambition and opportunity, its position as a global maritime hub becomes increasingly vital. The UAE is now a bridge between East and West, making it the perfect anchor for JBR’s expansion. With the Dubai office, JBR strengthens its global presence while positioning itself to serve clients at the forefront of maritime trade, offshore operations, and sustainable energy investments. 

Building Bridges Across Oceans

“Many of our clients are turning their focus to the Middle East and Asia,” says **Ronald van Rijn**, Managing Partner of JBR. This observation reflects a growing shift in global business dynamics. At the same time, interest from these regions towards Europe creates a strong flow of opportunities in both directions. By establishing its Dubai office, JBR is cementing itself as a trusted advisor capable of navigating these cross-market currents.  

Rick ter Maat, Partner and Head of the Maritime & Offshore cluster, emphasizes the rapid evolution of the M&A market in the region. JBR’s team is already advising on significant transactions such as the successful process between **Seacontractors** and **Jifmar**. Operating from Dubai allows JBR to offer local expertise on strategic decisions, mergers and acquisitions, and vessel financing — all while forging fresh partnerships in the region’s vibrant maritime sector.  

A Wave of Global Collaboration

Martin Helweg sees the Dubai expansion as more than a physical move; it’s a powerful step toward sustainable value creation in an ever-changing world. By blending JBR’s international experience with deep-rooted maritime insights, the UAE office becomes an epicenter of innovation.  

Furthermore, the Dubai team will work closely with JBR’s Netherlands and Belgium offices. This combination of headquarters-led expertise and on-the-ground presence ensures a seamless connection across continents. Several colleagues will relocate to Dubai to strengthen collaboration, ensuring that clients across Maritime & Offshore and Ports & Terminals feel the full impact of JBR’s commitment. 

With its bold leap into Dubai, JBR is not just opening a new office — it’s opening doors to limitless maritime and offshore opportunities. This move signals resilience, foresight, and a commitment to creating sustainable value worldwide.  

Steel Meets Sunshine: Bahrain’s Bold Leap into the Future

A Vision Forged in Light

In **MANAMA, Bahrain**, a new chapter in industrial history unfolds. **Foulath Holding**, the powerhouse behind **Bahrain Steel** and **SULB**, has joined forces with **Yellow Door Energy**, the Middle East and Africa's leading sustainable energy developer, for a truly groundbreaking sustainability initiative. Together, they are set to develop a massive **123-Megawatt-Peak (MWp)** solar project under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — one of the largest of its kind in the world.  

At the heart of this monumental feat is the **world’s largest single-site rooftop solar power plant**, boasting an impressive **50 MWp** capacity. Imagine **77,000 gleaming solar panels** stretched across a sprawling **262,000-square-meter stockyard shed**, turning steel production into a cleaner, greener process. This visionary project was proudly announced at the **Gateway Gulf Forum**, hosted by the **Bahrain Economic Development Board** at the Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay — a gathering of global industrial innovators, policymakers, and investors.  

More Than Power: A Commitment to the Planet

This initiative is not just about energy — it’s about responsibility 🌍. **H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif**, Minister of Sustainable Development, emphasized Bahrain’s leadership in clean technology, highlighting the nation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its ambitious **Net Zero 2060 target**. Her remarks capture the spirit of a country determined to merge innovation with sustainability.  

For **Foulath Holding’s Chairman, Meshary Al-Judaimi**, the solar project continues a long-standing pledge, backed by USD 250 million invested in sustainability projects over recent years. The move aligns industrial ambitions with environmental protection, setting a precedent for steelmakers worldwide. As **Sherif ElKholy** of **Actis** noted, this initiative proves that cost-competitive clean energy is not just possible — it’s transformative, and it’s capable of decarbonizing even the most energy-intensive industries.  

Ripples of Change Across the Gulf

In its first year, the solar plant will generate **200 million kilowatt-hours (kWh)** of clean electricity, reducing **90,000 metric tons** of carbon emissions — a remarkable stride toward a greener Bahrain. With over **189,900 high-efficiency panels** spanning more than **707,000 square meters**, this engineering marvel will inspire similar initiatives across the Gulf and beyond.  

From rooftop solar arrays to ground-mounted installations, the project stands as a beacon for future industrial sustainability. It’s more than an achievement; it’s a clear signal that Bahrain, driven by innovators like Foulath Holding and Yellow Door Energy, is ready to redefine the very fabric of its industrial identity. 

Shaping Tomorrow: Dubai Ushers in the 7 Wonders of Future Cities

On **World Cities Day 2025**, the skyline of **Dubai, UAE** didn’t just shine with architectural marvels — it signaled the dawn of a new era. **New7Wonders, the world's official authority for public voting to choose Wonders**, launched its boldest campaign yet: *The 7 Wonders of Future Cities*. This ambitious initiative calls upon the global community to discover and celebrate extraordinary urban developments that embody innovation, sustainability, and human progress.  

Following a soft launch earlier this month, the proposal and application phase is now officially open. Over the next twelve months, cities, districts, and visionary projects from every corner of the planet will present their achievements. These wonders-in-the-making reflect the perfect harmony between advanced technology, breathtaking design, and environmental responsibility.  

From Heritage to Horizon: A Global Call to Dream Bigger

Bernard Weber, President and Founder of **New7Wonders**, explained that *"The wonders of the future are being built now – in the choices, creativity and courage of today's urban visionaries."* His words capture the heartbeat of this global conversation. The campaign invites communities to ask: what makes a city truly “of the future”? The answer lies not only in skyscrapers and smart systems but in how innovation serves humanity’s deeper needs.  

Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of **New7Wonders** and Chairman of the campaign, painted a vivid picture: future cities should dare to dream, design, and deliver a better balance between nature, community, and growth. This vision is set to unfold through public engagement — the same proven methodology that powered global votes for the New 7 Wonders of the World and the New 7 Wonders of Nature, campaigns that united millions and transformed economies.  

The Road Ahead: Voting for Tomorrow’s Icons

After the year-long proposal phase, the campaign takes its most exciting step — the **global voting** period, beginning on **31 October 2026**. From bustling megacities to quiet, innovative districts, the race will be fierce. In true New7Wonders style, it will be the public who decides which developments earn the coveted title of *Wonders of the Future*. The grand reveal awaits on **31 October 2027**, a date destined to become historic.  

Coordinated by **Global Platform Limited**, Dubai’s own worldwide licensing and commercial arm of **New7Wonders**, this campaign is more than a celebration of urban design; it’s a beacon for the world. The **Wonder Effect** — proven to create socio-economic, marketing, and educational growth worth hundreds of billions — could soon be shaping the skylines we’ve yet to see.  

-**In a world racing toward tomorrow, the 7 Wonders of Future Cities offer more than a list — they offer hope, creativity, and a shared vision for what humanity can build together.** 

Website: [www.7wondersfc.com](http://www.7wondersfc.com)