The New Doha Port at Mesaieed has taken another step towards completion, with the joint venture of Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and local partner Teyseer Contracting being selected for the QR1.06bn ($291m) contract for a container terminal.

But with a deadline for completion set for 2016, the port cannot come fast enough for contractors eager to start work on their construction projects ahead of the Fifa World Cup in 2022.

Qatar is pumping at least $70bn into building the stadiums, hotels, roads, rail and metro system that are required to successfully host the football tournament.

The current port at Doha is operating at over-capacity, holding up imports of vital raw materials needed for construction works and resulting in further blockages along the supply chain.

The lack of port capacity is not only causing delays in the physical supply of goods, but is also contributing to inflation. High demand and a lack of supply are pushing up the cost of raw materials, causing concern for both the Qatari authorities and construction companies alike.  

To meet its deadline of 2016, the New Doha Port’s steering committee will have to award one more major contract this year covering the construction of commercial terminals. This contract is currently out to tender.

Once completed, the new port, which will have a capacity of 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units, will play a vital role in preventing bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials. However, for impatient contractors facing escalating raw material costs, it could be a long three-year wait.