Saudi Ports Authority has awarded China Harbour Engineering Company a contract for the dredging and construction of three berths at the port at Ras al-Khair Industrial City in the Eastern Province.

The contract is worth $205m and the three berths will service the exports of phosphate products produced at the planned Waad al-Shamal phosphates city at Turaif in the north of Saudi Arabia.

The scope of works will include the dredging and reclamation of 28 million cubic metres, and construction of berths totalling 1.26 kilometres. China Harbour will also demolish the existing breakwater and construct a new one with a length of 1.58km as well as carry out ground improvements including drainage and pavements.

The contract will last for 31 months. China Harbour has already carried out two earlier phases at the Ras al-Khair port.

Saudi Arabian Mining Company’s (Maaden) hopes to start phosphate processing at Waad al-Shamal in late 2016. Its output is expected to total 16 million tonnes a year (t/y), including 3 million t/y of phosphate fertilisers and 440,000 t/y of downstream products that will be used in food, detergent and animal feed production.

The project is now under execution and Maaden will retain a 60 per cent stake in the scheme. Other shareholders include the US’ Mosaic that holds a 25 per cent stake while Saudi Basic Industries Corporation holding the remaining 15 per cent.