Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) has tendered a consultancy contract for developing a general strategy for the future development of the state’s major commercial ports.

The winning bidder will undertake a study to assess the feasibility of currently proposed development and expansion projects at the ports in Shuwaikh, Shuaiba and Doha.

The study will also determine the feasibility of a new port to be built in Kuwait’s southern region considering that the new Mubarak al-Kabeer Seaport is currently under construction at Bubiyan Island in the north of Kuwait.

The tender deadline is in late June.

It is understood that the KPA has proposed the reconstruction of Berths 1-7 at Shuwaikh Port. The proposed work entails improving the berths’ draft to a depth of 14 metres using gravitational walls and rubber fenders protection.

KPA is also proposing to increase the port’s navigational depth from 6.8 metres to 14.5 metres and increase the bottom width from 150 metres to 420 metres. This would allow the passage of ships in two different directions regardless of tide conditions.

A new container terminal capable of receiving ships with 14 metres draft northeast of the existing port is also being proposed. The work at Shuwaikh Port could cost as much as $1bn in total.

The current expansion proposals for both the Shuaiba and Doha ports are more tentative.

For Shuaiba Port, there is a proposal to construct additional berths with a depth of 18 metres, as well as increasing the depth of Berths 4 and 5 to 16 metres. The 20 berths at the Shuaiba Port currently have drafts that vary from 10 to 14 metres. A new bulk materials handling facility is also being proposed at the port.

For Doha Port, KPA is planning to conduct “radical maintenance” of the berths’ concrete flooring and fender protection systems, along with the development of new commercial buildings to ultimately help boost the port’s revenues.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed within 15 months of contract signing.