Sohar Port & Freezone has completed negotiations with the preferred bidder for the earthworks, reclamation, shore protection and storm water works package for its Sohar Port South development in Oman.

“We are now in the final stages of awarding [the contract] to the preferred bidder,” a spokesperson tells MEED.

The contract award is expected before the end of October.

MEED understands the reclaimed land will house a bunkering terminal, which Singapore-based Trescorp plans to start constructing next year.

The planned facility, which has a budget of $600m, will feature six deep-water berths with 25 metre drafts. One of the six berths will be equipped to receive very large crude carrier (VLCC) oil tankers with a capacity of up to 320,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT).

Earlier this month, India’s ShriVallabh Pittie Group (SVP) signed a land lease agreement with Sohar Port & Freezone in order to establish a $300m plant to manufacture a wide range of cotton yarn products.

The facility is expected to start commercial operations by 2019 and will create an estimated 1,500 jobs.