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Structural steel export · the UAE
Dubai Building Code 2021ISO 12944 C4 / C5 coatingsBox columns to 1,800 mm

Steel Structure Fabrication for UAE & Dubai Projects

Heavy steel, long-span roofs and complex nodes for UAE contractors and developers. Fabricated in South China to Dubai Building Code and Eurocode or AISC designs, coated for desert heat and C5 coastal exposure, shipped to Jebel Ali in about 16 days.

~16 daysShenzhen to Jebel Ali
17–19 daysTo Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi
C5Coating category for coastal sites
60 tMaximum single piece
01Why South China

Capacity for the heavy and complex pieces UAE projects need

UAE projects combine tight programs with demanding steel: super-tall towers with mega columns, airport and logistics hangars, data halls and architectural roofs. Regional fabricators are capable but often full, and the heaviest built-up members are where queues form first.

We fabricate box columns up to 1,800 × 1,800 mm, plate to 100 mm and single pieces to 24 m and 60 t, with trusses trial-assembled up to 90 m in our yard. Steel leaves Shenzhen or Guangzhou on weekly direct services into Jebel Ali.

Heat changes the coating brief. Steel surfaces in Dubai summers can exceed 70 °C and the coast adds chlorides. We select ISO 12944 systems for C4 or C5 and a high durability range, with UV-stable polyurethane or polysiloxane topcoats, and record DFT for every piece.

  • Q355B/C/D and Q420GJC, equivalent to S355JR/J2 and A572 Gr.50
  • Coating systems for C5 high durability, applied after Sa2.5 blasting
  • Intumescent or cementitious fireproofing prepared for Civil Defence approval
  • Trial assembly of complex roofs and nodes before shipment
Inclined built-up steel column ready for coating
02Codes & compliance

Designing and fabricating to the UAE requirements

Dubai projects are approved by Dubai Municipality (or Trakhees, DDA and other free-zone authorities) under the Dubai Building Code. Abu Dhabi uses the Abu Dhabi International Building Code. Designs are typically to Eurocode or AISC.

Topicthe UAE requirementHow we deliver
Building regulationDubai Building Code 2021; ADIBC in Abu DhabiWe fabricate to the approved design; authority submissions stay with your consultant
Structural designBS EN 1993 or AISC 360, as specified by the consultantConnections to EN 1993-1-8 or AISC 360
ExecutionBS EN 1090-2 execution class EXC2 / EXC3 commonly specifiedITP, dimensional records and weld maps per execution class
WeldingEN ISO 15614 / AWS D1.1Qualified WPS/PQR, 100% UT on CJP welds
Fire protectionUAE Fire and Life Safety Code (Civil Defence)Intumescent systems with product listings supplied for approval, or applied on site by your fire contractor
CorrosionISO 12944-2 C4 / C5, durability HZinc-rich epoxy / epoxy MIO / polyurethane or polysiloxane, 280–360 µm DFT typical
ImportsUAE customs; ICV scoring on many government tendersCertificate of origin, MTCs and packing lists per container

Typical references. The consultant specification and authority approvals govern.

ICV: Abu Dhabi and federal tenders often score In-Country Value. Imported fabricated steel scores lower than local fabrication, so contractors commonly import the heavy or complex members and fabricate secondary steel locally. We are happy to quote on that split.
03Shipping routes

From Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Jebel Ali, Khalifa and Sharjah

Jebel Ali is the main gateway and has direct weekly sailings from Shekou, Yantian and Nansha. Abu Dhabi projects discharge at Khalifa Port.

Port of loadingPort of dischargeTransit (days)Typical mode
Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou)Jebel Ali, Dubai15–1740HQ / flat-rack
Guangzhou (Nansha)Jebel Ali, Dubai16–1840HQ / break-bulk
Shenzhen (Yantian)Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi17–1940HQ / break-bulk
Shenzhen (Shekou)Sharjah (Khalid Port)18–2040HQ, often via Jebel Ali
Guangzhou (Nansha)Fujairah17–19Break-bulk on request

Transit times are typical port-to-port sailing times and vary with carrier, transshipment and season. Confirmed per booking in our quotation.

40HQ and flat-rack

Containers for members to 11.8 m; flat-racks for over-width columns and short trusses.

Break-bulk for mega members

Box columns and transfer girders up to 24 m and 60 t on multipurpose vessels into Jebel Ali.

Coating protected in transit

Edge protectors, rubber pads and steel dunnage to keep C5 coating systems intact for the voyage.

Packing rules, 40HQ loading plans and break-bulk limits are covered in our 40HQ container steel loading guide and on the quality, NDT and shipping page.

04Building types

What we commonly supply for the UAE projects

UAE enquiries are mostly high-rise and commercial frames, logistics and free-zone industrial buildings, and aviation or architectural long-span roofs.

Members and systems most often ordered

Typical steel consumption

High-rise frames commonly run well above 95 kg/m², depending on height and lateral system. Warehouses use 32–45 kg/m². Indicative FOB price is USD 1,100–1,800/t, with complex nodes and heavy plate at the upper end.

05Delivery model

Clear scope: what we deliver and where our responsibility ends

We are a supplier to UAE contractors, not a local contractor. We have no office in the UAE; our engineers support you from Guangdong and on site when needed.

FOB Shenzhen / Guangzhou

Steel delivered on board, export-cleared, with packing lists, loading plans and MTCs. You or your forwarder control freight and insurance.

CFR / CIF Jebel Ali

Freight and insurance to Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port. Customs clearance, free-zone documentation and delivery to site stay with your forwarder.

Supervision & installation

Erection supervisors for first lifts, node fit-up and survey checks. Erection is done by your UAE steel erector; we do not perform civil or site works.

  • Tekla models shared for coordination with the consultant
  • Coating and fire protection data sheets ready for authority approval
  • Mega members shipped in erection sequence to suit tower crane capacity
  • Dossier: MTCs 3.1, UT, DFT and dimensional reports
06Reference projects

Heavy and complex projects delivered in China

These projects were built in South China. They are shown to evidence the heavy plate, mega-column and long-span work we fabricate, not as UAE references.
07FAQ

Questions UAE buyers ask

Send consultant drawings or a Tekla model; we return tonnage and FOB price within 24 hours for most packages.

Other markets we ship to

How long does shipping from China to Jebel Ali take?

Typically 15–17 days from Shenzhen and 16–18 days from Guangzhou, plus 25–40 days of fabrication after shop drawing approval. Complex nodes take 40–60 days.

For coastal C5 sites we usually apply Sa2.5 blasting, epoxy zinc-rich primer, epoxy MIO and a polyurethane or polysiloxane topcoat at 280–360 µm DFT. Inland C4 sites can use thinner systems. Final selection follows the consultant’s specification.

We fabricate to the execution class specified, usually EXC2 or EXC3, with qualified welding procedures, 100% UT on CJP welds and full traceability. Please tell us if your project requires a CE-marked EN 1090 certificate so we can confirm scope at tender.

Yes. We can apply intumescent coatings in the factory or ship primed steel for site application by your fire contractor. Product data is supplied for Civil Defence approval.

No. We supply from our bases in South China and support projects through our engineers and erection supervisors. Erection is carried out by your local contractor.

Send your drawings. Get a 24-hour BOM and FOB price.

DWG, IFC, Tekla or PDF. Engineering review by our Tekla team, from 50 t or 2,000 m².