ASIF IQBAL

DOHA

Middle East Dredging Company (MEDCO) has bagged a QR4.5 billion contract to dredge the approach channel for the New Doha Port Project in Qatar.

The contract also includes the dredging of the basin as well as the land reclamation for the Naval Base of approximately 400 hectares and the construction of the two outer breakwaters at both sides of the channel.

The New Port is located between Al Wakrah and Mesaeed, South of Doha.

The agreement was signed by New Port Project Steering Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Mohammed al Noaimi and Medco Chairman Abdulrahman Abdullah Abdulghani at a function in Doha on Sunday.

As per the agreement, Medco will be responsible for the dredging of a 20- km long access channel and a Naval Base basin, the land reclamation with dredged materials for an area of approximately 4.5 square km for the construction of the Naval Base.

The work on the project will start in March 2012 and will be completed in 2016.

The QR27 billion New Doha Port project is a major gateway to Qatar, and includes the constructing of a new port to serve future development expanding trade needs of Qatar for 2030 and beyond.

It will cater to the expected growth in container traffic. It shall also accommodate for general cargo traffic, vehicle imports, livestock imports, bulk grain imports, offshore support vessels, cruise vessels, coastguard vessels and a marine support unit.