Marine contract let on Amwaj development

11 April 2003
Abu Dhabi-based NSCCin joint venture with the local Kingdom Grouphas won a contract valued at BD 2.3 million ($6 million) for marine works on the Al-Marsa Floating City phase of the Amwaj Islands real estate development (MEED 21:6:02).

The main element of the contract covers the design and construction of sheet-piled quay wall, comprising a cathodic protection belt. NSCC will also carry out extensive earthworks behind the quay wall and dredge an internal channel area to create an artificial canal system, around which a number of residential and commercial sites are earmarked for development.

The local office of Cyprus-based Charilaos Apostolodes (Chapo)is carrying out the main infrastructure works for the residential element of the project, which will eventually comprise up to 360 housing units. Lebanon's Tabet Enterprisesis understood to be close to finalising the contract for the basic civils infrastructure package on the island, which includes road surfacing, duct crossings and sewerage facilities.

Further packages expected to go to tender this year include the construction of the main bridges that will link the various residential zones. A team of the local Ismail Khonji Associateswith the UK's High-Point Rendelis working on the designs. The client is also evaluating bids from consultants for the design of canal gates and a sluice system.

The local Ossis Property Developers, which is promoting the scheme, is inviting companies and private investors to buy plots of land on Amwaj for development into commercial, leisure and residential properties. The company signed an agreement with Shamil Bankin June, which committed to invest $40 million into the Al-Marsa resort.

Negotiations are under way with the local Bahrain Hotels Companyto build the first of two five-star hotels on the site of the proposed Fanar Beach development, located on the western side of Amwaj. Two four-star hotels are also planned for the site, which will incorporate a marina. Ossis is carrying out studies on the harbour, which will cover an area of 45,000 square metres and include berths for up to 100 leisure craft. The intention is to release tender documents for the marina on a design and build basis later this year.

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