Six Construct, a unit of global infrastructure major Besix, said its consortium with Belgian contractor Jan De Nul has been awarded the contract for the expansion of the Port of Fujairah, one of the world’s key oil storage centres and the second-largest ship-bunkering hub in the world. 

 

The Dibba Bulk Handling Terminal Project, which is valued at AED371 million ($101 million), is aimed at expansion and upgradation of the port's bulk-handling capacity, according to Six Construct.

 

The design-and-build contract includes dredging the navigation channel and port basin, reclamation and shore protection, as well as constructing breakwaters, a 765-m-long quay wall, foundations for ship loader rails, port infrastructure and creating utilities and aids to navigation. The fishing harbour will be relocated in the processm, it stated.

 

The expansion plans are part of Port of Fujairah’s strategy to increase the port’s bulk handling capacity and operational efficiency, as well as improve the quality of its service, which is considered among the best in the world. All the works will be completed within 19 months, it added.

 

Six Construct said the consortium’s approach to optimise the design by providing ‘value engineering’, along with the newly-established Central Marine Support department, has presented a strong, competitive solution to the client.

 

Operations Manager Marine Works Middle East Yasser Laroussi Ben Asker said: "Six Construct is very pleased and honoured to partner with the Port of Fujairah, as part of our decades-long history in the emirate. The history of Six Construct and the Port of Fujairah are very well connected."

 

"Besix’s entity in the Middle East helped on several occasions to extend the port infrastructure. We share the same values in aspiring to create long-term partnerships to support the emirate’s development goals, and we are investing in a long and prosperous relationship," he added.

 

Jan De Nul Group Area Manager (Middle East) Stefan Moens said: "We build on many years of experience in the UAE and this award confirms the Port of Fujairah’s satisfaction with our previous port expansion projects executed in the region."

 

"We are very proud to be appointed as a trusted partner for the delivery of these works, moreover, in consortium with Besix, another company with Belgian roots," he added.-TradeArabia News Service