The New Doha Port Steering Committee has received bids from contractors for the container terminal and infrastructure package on the New Doha Port project.

The client received bids from prequalified contractors on 28 July. At least 15 consortiums had been invited to participate in the tender.

The work will involve building a new container terminal, associated utility buildings and carrying out infrastructure work at the new port. The container terminals will require concrete for a gross floor area (GFA) of 5,500 square metres and steel for a GFA of 11,500 sq m. For the utility buildings, concrete will be required for a GFA of 5,000 sq m. The infrastructure works will involve building asphalt road surfaces of 1.1 million sq m and 67,000 sq m of underground ducts.

The steering committee has also invited contractors to prequalify for a canal excavation and dredging contract on the new port project. Contractors have until 15 July to submit prequalification entries for the construction package.

The work will involve the excavation of 7.4 million cubic metres for the canal basin and the construction of quay walls and breakwaters. The appointed contractor will also install the navigation aids along the access channel.

In March, the local/Belgian Dredging International and Middle East Dredging Company (Medco) was awarded the estimated QR4.5bn ($1.23bn) phase 2 construction contract at the new port. The second phase covers the dredging works, which involves dredging an access channel so that ships can reach the port.

In 2011, China Harbour Engineering Company (Chec) won the $880m construction contract to carry out phase one of the project, which covers excavation works at the port, having submitted the lowest bid for the deal in July 2010. This was the first major construction deal to be awarded at the port.

Australia’s WorleyParsons is the engineering consultant on the project and the US’ Aecom is the programme manager of the scheme. The total estimated budget for the New Doha Port Project is QR25.6bn ($7bn).