The marine works tender contract for the Umm al-Quwain Canal project in the Northern Emirates is understood to have been put on hold.

According to sources familiar with the scheme, the client - Dubai-based property developer Emaar - has not requested an extension for the expired bid bonds’ validity.

MEED understands at least four firms had submitted a bid for the retendered contract in September. They include:

• BAM International (Netherlands)
• Dutco Balfour Beatty (local)
• Overseas AST (local)
• Six Construct (Belgium)

The client first tendered the contract in January and received bids from contractors in April, but reissued the tender following an expansion in the project scope.

MEED understands Emaar broadened the scope to add works that were previously planned, to be delivered as part of later packages.

The marine works involve the excavation of a 1.5-kilometre long section of canal, the installation of 3km of quay wall, 80,000 cubic metres of dredging, 500 cubic metres of rock work, beach works, pontoons and piling.

The project management consultant is US firm CH2M.

These later works will take the overall length of the canal to 7.5km.

Emaar, which was the master developer for Dubai Marina, has been planning a major marina development in Umm al-Quwain for more than 10 years. In 2005 it unveiled an AED12bn ($3.3bn) project covering an area over 6 square kilometres. Known as Umm al-Quwain Marina, the masterplan included 6,000 villas, 2,000 townhouses, 1,200 hotel rooms, parks and recreational areas, retail facilities and schools.