The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has awarded a AED17m ($4.6m) contract to UAE-based firm Majestic Marine Engineering to upgrade the facilities at Mirfa port in Al-Gharbia, formerly the Western Region, of the emirate.

The port is at the north end of Mirfa City, 125 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi. It is a well-known fishing and watersport destination.

The contract covers the upgrading of the port’s existing infrastructure to better serve local fishermen. It will also include the development of leisure facilities to enhance Mirfa’s appeal to tourists.

The development will be carried out in two phases. Phase one will include the installation of floating pontoons, which will provide an additional 105 new berths. This will allow fishermen to keep their boats in water rather than moving them on to land after every fishing trip.

During the second phase of the project, the contractor will develop landside infrastructure and new marina facilities, including a new fish market and retail units.

The Mirfa port contract is part of a wider Abu Dhabi initiative to improve the ports in the Al-Gharbia region.

In January, an AED7.5m ($2m) contract for the redevelopment of Mugharrag Port was awarded to Athena Emirates, the UAE-based arm of Greek construction firm Athena.