Abu Dhabi Ports has set a deadline of 31 May for firms to submit commercial bids for the contract to expand the container terminal at the Port of Fujairah, according to a source familiar with the scheme.

Abu Dhabi Ports received technical bids for the contact on 20 March.

Firms that are understood to have submitted an offer for the contract include Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Abu Dhabi-based National Marine Dredging Company, amongst others.

The scope of works entails deepening the berth to 16.5 metres, building a one kilometre quay and constructing a 300,000 square-metre storage yard.

In December last year, Abu Dhabi Ports awarded local firm MUC Engineering the consultancy contract for determining the next steps to upgrade the container terminal at the port.

The consultancy contract will involve assessing the business case for upgrading the terminal’s superstructures, including the installation of gantry cranes and yard equipment.

Operating and expanding the container terminal outside the Strait of Hormuz is a key component of Abu Dhabi Ports’ future growth strategy.

The firm took over the operations and management of the container terminal at the Fujairah Port from Dubai-based DP World last year.