UK’s Mott MacDonald has won the design consultancy contract for the new fuel farm complex and fuel hydrant at the Bahrain International airport (BIA).

Valued at BD1.4m ($3.7m), the contract will involve providing consultancy services for the relocation of aviation fuel tanks away from the residential areas in Arad to a new complex at the BIA.

The selection of Mott Macdonald came in the wake of the establishment of a joint venture company between the Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) and The Oil and Gas Holding Company (nogaholding) in March. The JV will manage and operate the new fuelling complex at the BIA.

BAC chief executive Mohamed Yousif al-Binfalah was quoted in local press saying that the group is committed to fast-track the execution of the project, and indicated that the fuel farm will be moving to a new state-of-the-art complex within the BIA within 24 to 30 months.

The project achieves twin objectives. The storage tanks will be moved away from a residential area and it should foster greater efficiency in terms of the airport operations. Binfalah stated that adding the new modern complex within the BIA premises is a strategic move, and will greatly benefit the airlines that fly to and from the BIA and all customers in general.