UAE’s Fujairah Port Authority expects to finalise “within days” the list of prequalified bidders for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the planned new port in Dibba, a source with knowledge of the project tells MEED. Dibba is in the UAE’s northern emirate.

According to the source, the authority expects to issue the tender for the contract by end of January or early February 2019.

The planned commercial port will cater primarily to quarrying companies operating in the area.

US-based consultancy CH2M, which has been acquired by US-based Jacobs, is advising the client on the project.

Work is under way to expand the Port of Fujairah’s container terminal, which Abu Dhabi Ports operates.

Belgium’s Besix won the contract to deepen the berth to 16.5 metres, build a 1-kilometre quay and construct a 300,000 square metre storage yard.

Expanding the container terminal, which is situated outside the Strait of Hormuz, is a key component of Abu Dhabi Ports’ future growth strategy.