Abu Dhabi Ports has received bids for the concrete piling works contract, part of the expansion package for the Khalifa Port's container terminal, sources close to the project tell MEED.

The client also expects to receive bids for the main marine works package of the planned second container terminal at Khalifa Port on 18 July.

The marine works contract covers the construction of a 3-kilometre quay wall instead of a 1-kilometre quay wall, in addition to deepening the port’s main channel and basin.

The package has been tendered before.

Companies that are expected to bid for the marine works contract include:

• Afcons Infrastructure (India)
• Bam International (Netherlands)
• China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
• National Marine Dredging Company (UAE)
• Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Van Oord (Netherlands)

An Abu Dhabi Ports spokesman said in May that the second container terminal at the port is expected to become operational in early 2019.

The preparatory work for the terminal is being undertaken by Abu Dhabi-based National Marine Dredging Company.

Germany-based Siemens will supply the container terminal with 11 container cranes, 24 automated rail-mounted gantry cranes, eight automated empty container cranes and one fixed crane.

It is understood the first batch of cranes, which China-based Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries will install and maintain, will be put into operation before the end of 2018.

Once completed, Terminal 2 is expected to double Khalifa Port’s existing capacity of 2.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with provision for an additional 1 million TEUs depending on the success of the business model and the port’s growth.

Cosco signed a 35-year concession agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports in September 2016 covering the construction, operation and maintenance of Khalifa Port’s Terminal 2. The contract is renewable for five years and valued at an estimated $738m.