About nine companies have submitted bids for the second phase of the $5.2bn New Doha port project in Qatar.

Phase two covers dredging an access channel to lead to the port. Companies were prequalified for the deal in October 2010.

The prequalified companies include:

• China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
• Jan de Nul (Belgium)
• Boskalis (Netherlands)
• Van Oord (Netherlands)
• Middle East Dredging Company (Medco) (local)

The New Doha Port Steering Committee expects to award the contract for phase two in November.

In January, China Harbour Engineering & Company 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 (MEED 26:1:11). This was the first major construction deal to be awarded at the port

The project includes the excavation of 58 million cubic metres of material, covering an area of 3.2 square kilometres to a depth of 18 metres, the building of 8km of quay wall and a 5km rubble breakwater.

The scheme also includes building container, general cargo and naval forces wharves. Construction is due to begin immediately.

The first phase will have a capacity of 2 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and will feature a 15-metre-deep approach channel, an 8-metre-wide,13.5-metre-deep harbour basin and berths for general cargo, including vessels from the Qatari and visiting navies.