The government is seeking an international partner to work in a joint venture alongside Qatar Navigation, which currently runs the port. Doha is finalising how this partnership would be structured before inviting bids from fiver shortlisted groups.

“We have identified five international companies we would like to compete for the contract, and will invite them soon,” says a source close to the project.

“We are just finalising how we want the relationship to work between the international group, and Qatar Navigation.”

The developments at Mesaieed continue separately to plans for the New Doha Port project, which is now to be located outside the Qatari capital, between Mesaieed and Al-Wakrah.

In November last year, Doha appointed two consultants for the New Doha Port project. Engineering design work will be carried out by WorleyParsons Qatar, the local division of the Australian group. Cansult Maunsell, the regional joint venture with the US engineering giant, Aecom, will oversee the programme management of the scheme (MEED 11:11:08).