Dutch firm wins RO55m Salalah port project deal
The Netherland-based marine contractor Archirodon Construction (Overseas) Co has won a RO55 million-project to build a general cargo terminal, along with a liquid jetty, two industry people familiar with the contract told Times of Oman.
The company won the much-delayed project, which will be overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, amid tough competition from four other international and local contracting firms.
The general cargo terminal will meet the growing demands for increased economic activity in Dhofar region and attract foreign investments to Salalah.
The project will increase cargo handling capacity to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of dry bulk commodities and over six million tonnes of liquid products, in comparison to the port’s present cargo handling capacity of 6.5mtpa during 2011, said a statement released by Port of Salalah. Main commodities driving the growth of the general cargo business are exports of locally available limestone, gypsum and cement as well as plastics and other bulk commodities.
“The general cargo business has been growing rapidly and this expansion will play a significant role in serving the continued development of businesses in Salalah and the surrounding region. We also have a vision of Salalah taking a role as a major liquid bulk hub for a number of commodities,” said Peter Ford, chief executive officer of Port of Salalah.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the many local stakeholders for their vigorous effort to secure this project.”
The expansion of the general container terminal covers the construction of an additional 1200 meters of multi-purpose berths with 18 metres of draft and includes liquid commodities loading facilities. The proposed liquids terminal will add to the port’s ability to handle a number of liquids including, but not limited to, methanol, fuel, mono ethylene glycol, and caustic soda, enabling Port of Salalah to become a premier liquid bulk hub in the region.
Combination of facilities
Once completed, Port of Salalah will boast a world-class general cargo terminal to complement its container terminal. This combination of facilities utilising the strategic spot that Salalah occupies and a well functioning free zone creates the ‘Salalah Hub’ that is ready to serve the local, regional, and global business interests.
Apart from Archirodon, four other major contracting firms – BAM International, Galfar Engineering and Contracting Company, Consolidated Contractors Company and China Harbouor Engineering Co – were also shortlisted for the general cargo terminal project. Archirodon Group has a strong presence in the region with offices and branches and/or project sites in, Saudi, Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Cyprus and Greece.
Among its early projects were the construction of the multi-million dollar seaports of Jeddah and Dammam and other major ports in Saudi Arabia, three ports in the United Arab Emirates, and a host of other important marine works.
The company won the much-delayed project, which will be overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, amid tough competition from four other international and local contracting firms.
The general cargo terminal will meet the growing demands for increased economic activity in Dhofar region and attract foreign investments to Salalah.
The project will increase cargo handling capacity to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of dry bulk commodities and over six million tonnes of liquid products, in comparison to the port’s present cargo handling capacity of 6.5mtpa during 2011, said a statement released by Port of Salalah. Main commodities driving the growth of the general cargo business are exports of locally available limestone, gypsum and cement as well as plastics and other bulk commodities.
“The general cargo business has been growing rapidly and this expansion will play a significant role in serving the continued development of businesses in Salalah and the surrounding region. We also have a vision of Salalah taking a role as a major liquid bulk hub for a number of commodities,” said Peter Ford, chief executive officer of Port of Salalah.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the many local stakeholders for their vigorous effort to secure this project.”
The expansion of the general container terminal covers the construction of an additional 1200 meters of multi-purpose berths with 18 metres of draft and includes liquid commodities loading facilities. The proposed liquids terminal will add to the port’s ability to handle a number of liquids including, but not limited to, methanol, fuel, mono ethylene glycol, and caustic soda, enabling Port of Salalah to become a premier liquid bulk hub in the region.
Combination of facilities
Once completed, Port of Salalah will boast a world-class general cargo terminal to complement its container terminal. This combination of facilities utilising the strategic spot that Salalah occupies and a well functioning free zone creates the ‘Salalah Hub’ that is ready to serve the local, regional, and global business interests.
Apart from Archirodon, four other major contracting firms – BAM International, Galfar Engineering and Contracting Company, Consolidated Contractors Company and China Harbouor Engineering Co – were also shortlisted for the general cargo terminal project. Archirodon Group has a strong presence in the region with offices and branches and/or project sites in, Saudi, Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Cyprus and Greece.
Among its early projects were the construction of the multi-million dollar seaports of Jeddah and Dammam and other major ports in Saudi Arabia, three ports in the United Arab Emirates, and a host of other important marine works.