State-upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has invited 10 international engineering firms to bid for an estimated $300m contract to build small-boat harbours.

Interested firms have until 2 September to submit proposals. The bid bond for the scheme has been set at KD2.32m ($8.3m). A pre-tender meeting will be held on 17 July.

KOC has prequalified 10 contractors to bid on the deal:

• Archirodon Construction Overseas (Geneva-registered)
• Athena (Greece)
• Daelim Industrial (South Korea)
• Daewoo Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• GS Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Jan De Nul (Belgium)
• Posco Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Samsung C&T (South Korea)
• STFA (Turkey)

As Kuwait expands its oil production and export capacity, it will have to increase its marine fleet, as well as the facilities for marine operations. The scheme involves the construction of a new small boat harbour at North Pier the refurbishment as well as the expansion of the existing small-boat harbour at the South Pier area.

The North Pier site harbour will include 18 berths for large craft, including a tug jetty and work boat jetty, and 28 small-craft berths. It will also include a landing area for boats that are about 60 metres long, bunker loading points and water lines, along with administration and operational facilities.