The local/Belgian Dredging International and Middle East Dredging Company (Medco) has been awarded the estimated QR4.5bn ($1.23bn) phase 2 construction contract at the New Doha Port Project in Qatar.

Phase two covers the dredging works, which involves dredging an access channel so that ships can reach the port.

Contractors submitted revised prices in early January for the phase two construction contract of the New Doha port project.

The other bidders were:

• Jan De Nul (Belgium)/China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
• Boskalis (Netherlands)/Van Oord (Netherlands)
• Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (US-based)
• Archirodon Construction (Geneva registered)/Huta Marine (Saudi Arabia)
• National Marine Dredging Company (UAE)

In 2011, China Harbour Engineering Company (Chec) won the $880m construction contract to carry out phase one of the project, which covers excavation works at the port, having submitted the lowest bid for the deal in July 2010. This was the first major construction deal to be awarded at the port.

Australia’s WorleyParsons is the engineering consultant on the project and the US’ Aecom is the programme manager of the scheme.

The New Doha Port Steering Committee is the client.