Turkish engineering and construction group, STFA has submitted the lowest bid at KD137m ($487m) for a deal to build and expand small boat harbours in Kuwait.

Out of the 10 firms prequalified to bid, seven submitted bids to state-upstream operator, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), according to sources close to the project.

Bids were opened on 18 November by the Central Tenders Committee (CTC), which oversees Kuwait’s major public tenders. The second-lowest price came from South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which was just 2.7 per cent higher at KD141m ($500m).

The harbour project supports Kuwait’s expansion in oil production and export capacity. It will involve the building of a new small boat harbour at North Pier, as well as the refurbishment and expansion of the existing harbour at the South Pier. Both piers are located just over a kilometer offshore from Mina al-Ahmadi.

The South Pier is mainly utilised for loading products from Kuwait’s refineries. It is equipped with six loading berths and can handle ships up to 80,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt).

The North Pier has four loading berths dedicated to crude oil export and products. It is capable of handling small to medium-sized vessels up to 160,000 dwt. The new harbour project will involve the construction of 18 berths for large craft, a landing area 60-metre-long boats and bunker loading points.