The Mega Projects Agency (MPA), part of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), has invited 17 prequalified companies to submit bids by 24 July for the design and build contract covering the phase 1 infrastructure works on the Bubiyan sea port project (MEED 8:4:05).

Estimated to be worth KD 60 million ($200 million), the contract covers transport access to the port, calling for the construction of a 34-kilometre-long road from the planned port's location on the east side of Bubiyan to Khor Subbiya in the west. The scope of works also includes the construction of a 1.4-kilometre-long three-lane road and landbridge from Subiya to Bubiyan and about 4 million cubic metres of landfill and soil improvement works.

A pre-tender meeting is due to be held in Kuwait on 8 June. An award is anticipated by the end of the third quarter. The infrastructure works is the first of several packages to be issued on the port project, which is aimed at relieving some of the pressure on existing ports in the northern Gulf. Under the fast-track scheme, the first four berths will be operational by 2008, with the port fully operational by 2016. The port itself will be developed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The UK's Mouchel Parkmanhas prepared a feasibility study for the port.

Established in mid-April as a successor to The Divided Zone Agreements & Kuwaiti Islands & Mega Projects Development Team (Dizart), the MPA is also overseeing the Failaka island development (MEED 15:4:05).