The scope of works involves the dredging of a 40-kilometre-long, 260-metre-wide approach channel with a depth of 14 metres as well as the port basin. It is expected to involve some 80 million cubic metres of material, making it one of the biggest dredging contracts tendered in the Gulf.

The contract is the second of three main packages on the estimated $1,200 million seaport project. Bids are due by the end of April for the first phase, which covers the design and build of the access road and bridge, soil works and a railway embankment. The third phase, covering the port infrastructure, is expected to be issued later in the year.

The UK's Mouchel Parkman is the design consultant on the dredging package. The local/US team of Hill International and System Development & Project Management (SDPM) is the overall programme manager on the Bubiyan island development (MEED 16:9:05).