A three-strong consortium of Belgium's Jan de Nul, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) and Turkey's STFA is the clear low bidder for the contract. Its price of RO 187 million ($479 million) is 18 per cent cheaper than the next lowest offer from a consortium headed by Van Oord Gulf of the Netherlands. Two other groups have bid for the Transport & Communications Ministry contract (MEED 9:2:07).

The contract, due to be awarded in April, includes dredging and reclamation, the construction of two 2,500-metre breakwaters and a quay wall. The UK office of Royal Haskoning is the project manager and designer.