The UK's Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick is preparing tender documents for the supply and installation of equipment and the operation of a new container terminal being built by Karachi Port Trust (KPT), project sources say. Work will be awarded on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.

The successful bidder will supply and install gantry cranes and other equipment and will build a road and bridge for terminal traffic. The developer will then operate the terminal under a 20-year concession. The operator will pay leasing fees and land rent to KPT, in addition to a royalty, the amount of which will be submitted as part of the bid for the work. KPT says it will invite companies to apply for prequalification for the work in July, and hopes to make a final award by the end of the year.

Turkey's Sezai Turkes-Feyzi Akkaya was awarded a $44.6 million contract to carry out reconstruction work on about 600 metres of the existing quay wall, as part of the project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $60 million-80 million.