Progress with a number of major port projects in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) shows that the region’s governments are continuing to invest heavily in their efforts to develop their port and logistics sectors.

As the first major construction package on the $6bn Grand Faw port in Iraq is put out for tender, Saudi Arabia has received bids for the second phase of its King Abdulaziz port in Dammam and Kuwait has approached consultants to design an access channel for its ambitious Bubiyan port scheme.

Qatar and the UAE are also currently undertaking large port projects. In March, The New Doha Port Project Steering Committee awarded a $1.2bn construction contract for phase 2 of its new port and is currently tendering a marine works package for the project. 

In the UAE, Abu Dhabi is set to open the first phase of its New Khalifa Port before the end of the year and Dubai is tendering contracts to further expand its Jebel Ali Port, already the largest sea port in the region. It is not just the oil exporters that are investing in large schemes to expand their port infrastructure. Jordan is looking to appoint a construction manager for its ambitious new Aqaba Port project and Morocco recently awarded a construction deal for expansion work on its Jorf Lasfar port.

As Asia consolidates its position as the world’s biggest export market, the central position of the Middle East will enable it to play an important role in global shipping trade.