Two deals signed for new world-class Doha seaport
Written by Writer on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Two deals signed for new world-class Doha seaport
By Anwar Elshamy
QATAR will have a new world-class seaport by 2014. Construction work on the new Doha port is due to begin by next year-end at a coastal area north of Mesaieed and south of Wakrah, it was announced yesterday.
The chairman of the New Doha Port Project Steering Committee, Abdul Aziz al-Noaimi, who is also the chairman of the Qatar General Aviation Authority, said that the new Doha port is expected to meet Qatar’s extensive plans of development during the next 50 years.
“We are developing a world-scale port. It would have state-of-the art facilities and terminals. The operation is expected to be completed by 2014,” he said.
Al-Noaimi, who was speaking after the signing of two contracts for the engineering design and management of the project with two international firms, said that giving the green light to such a giant project signals that Qatar’s financial situation is strong.
“The signing of the two contracts gives a good impression about the strength of the stability of our financial situation. To go ahead with the new port is evidence that we are not affected by the financial turmoil going on in the world,” he added.
To a question of the potential ecological threats, the official stressed that all the environmental considerations had been taken into account.
“We have conducted extensive ecological studies and co-ordinated from the beginning with the Supreme Council of Environment and Natural Reserves,” he added.
Al-Noaimi said the two contracts were signed yesterday following an international bid in which the Cansult Maunsell (AECOM) and WorelyParsons Qatar WLL companies were chosen to provide for the management and design services, respectively.
The amount of the two contracts signed between the New Doha Port Project Steering Committee and the chosen companies totalled QR600mn.
Isa al-Majed, who is the secretary general of the steering committee of the project, said the new port would occupy some 20,000 metre square of currently unused land and will be integrated into the economic zone 3.
“The new port has been designed to meet the highest international standards and will serve the country as a commercial port and provide for the importation of raw materials and goods into the country,” he added.
About the cost of the project, al-Majed said it is expected to total a whopping QR14bn.
Gulf Times – Qatar
