Nabeel Mohamed al-Buenain, project executive director of NPP. RIGHT: Diplomats from various embassies in Qatar listening to a presentation. PICTURE: Shameer Rasheed
By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Quick progress is being made in the construction of the New Port Project (NPP) and more than 35% of the work has been completed as of now, a top official said yesterday.
During a site visit by diplomats from 53 missions in Qatar, Nabeel Mohamed al-Buenain, project executive director of NPP said the construction is going on in full swing.
“About 35% of the project is completed already. All the machines are in place. The dredgers are working well. Both the dry and wet excavations are going on in full swing. With the steady progress we are making, we will be able to meet the target of 2016, set for the opening of the first phase of the new port.”
The project consists of the new port, a naval base for Emiri Naval Force and Qatar Economic Zone 3. Situated 24km south of Doha, the entire cost for the project is estimated at QR 27bn.
With an area of 26.5 sq km, a major part of the project is reclaimed land.
The official noted that there was opportunity for every country to contribute to the project. He pointed out: “We are mixing politics with economy. All are welcome to contribute and add value to the project. This can be through consultancy, companies, manpower, equipment or other actions. Every country can think of supporting the project and come back to us.”
Al-Buenain also said that the entire project was set for early completion.
“The whole project was set for completion by 2030. But with the revised strategy and support from the authorities, we are hoping for a very early completion. The whole project might be operational in the first half of 2020,” he added. So far, 17% of the Emiri Naval Force base and 8% of the Qatar Economic Zone 3 have also been completed.
Giving a presentation on the port facilities, Tim Verdon, vice-president and programme director of the NPP said that $1bn was spent last year on various projects and another $1bn is expected to be spent this year too.
“An iconic control tower that will come up at the port will be 110 metres tall. During the first phase, the new port will be able to handle 2mn containers annually and when the entire project is completed, it will deal with 6mn containers annually.”
Verdon also said that with five major contractors undertaking the construction work on site, the project now has a workforce of 5,800 and 1,400 pieces of equipment.
“During Q1 of 2014 the contract for the navy base quay walls and basin revetments is expected to be awarded. The contract for the construction of the access bridge that will link the naval base to the port is expected to be awarded in Q2 of 2014,” he added.
The official said that the port basin will be approximately 3.8km in length, 700m wide and 17m deep. In total, 63mn m3 of granular material is excavated for the project. The multiuse terminal will have an annual capacity for 750,000 livestock, half a million vehicles and 1mn tonnes of bulk grain.
