Sharjah's Department of Seaports and Customs is expected to award the contract to retro-fit and expand Port Khalid, one of the three ports located in the emirate, soon.

According to sources with knowledge of the scheme, the client has undertaken and completed the evaluation of bids late last year.

Contractors that are understood to have submitted a bid for the contract include:

• Dutco Balfour Beatty (local/UK)
• Besix (Belgium)
• Bam International (Netherlands)
• China Harbour Engineering Company(China)

The scope of work is understood to include retrofitting close to 1 kilometre of quay wall.

The contract is part of the Khalid Port's ongoing expansion programme.

In December 2016, the client awarded Belgium’s Besix with the $150m contract to build a new berth at the port.

The scope of the contract awarded to Besix is understood to include dredging of the port basin and the construction of a cargo loading facility, a quay wall, marine rock revetment on the seaward perimeter of the reclamation area, and other related facilities. Besix is expected to complete the project before the end of 2018.

Other ports in the UAE are actively being expanded. Abu Dhabi Ports is expected to imminently award the contract for the construction of Khalifa Port’s Terminal 2, and issue a tender for the redevelopment of Fujairah Terminal.

Dutch firm Bam International also won a contract to expand Ras al-Khaimah’s Saqr Port last year. The project scope includes dredging, reclamation and the construction of quay walls and other related port facilities.