The two contracts involve the construction and installation of dock gates and pumping systems at the site. The pair of gates, to be installed at the entrance to the dry dock, will weigh about 3,000 tonnes.

In January, a consortium of Omani group Galfar Engineering & Contracting and South Korea's Daewoo Engineering & Construction was the surprise winner of the contract to build two docks at the site. These are scheduled for completion by late 2010, and installation of the gates will follow immediately afterwards (MEED 30:1:08).

The consortium is funding the project through a $660m loan from the Japan Bank for International Co-operation.