The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (Zonescorp) is moving ahead with a number of major developments across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It has unveiled plans to develop a bulk handling port, which will be located in ICAD 3; a new sewage treatment plant (STP) to serve its developments in Mussafah; and to build an estimated AED 4,000 million ($1,090 million) office park for the oil and gas industry. Contracts have also been signed with two local companies to develop and operate Worker Residential Cities (WRC) in Mussafah. Tenders have been issued for three more WRCs in Al-Ain and Mussafah (MEED 9:6:06).
Zonescorp plans to build an estimated AED 1,500 million-2,500 million ($407 million-680 million) port capable of handling 5-9 million tonnes of bulk cargo a year and in Mussafah. The port will also include an element for container cargo and is expected to be operational by 2009. The project is expected to involve dredging a channel with a depth of 16 metres. The Netherlands' Royal Haskoning has been appointed to conduct a feasibility and scoping study. The port is the second to be announced in the emirate in recent months. Abu Dhabi Ports Company is developing Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone at Taweelah (MEED 12:5:06).
Zonescorp's port will be located in Mussafah's third industrial city (ICAD 3), which will cost an estimated AED 600 million ($163 million) to develop, and is expected to be launched in September. ICAD 3 will also be home to an estimated AED 360 million ($98 million) STP. The plant will have a capacity of 80,000 cubic metres a day and serve all Zonescorp developments in Mussafah.
Zonescorp is expected to launch an estimated AED 4,000 million ($1,090 million) oil and gas office park, known as Oil & Gas City, in November. The project will involve the construction of 10 office buildings each with about 10 storeys, a convention centre and a marina. The development will provide office space for 200-300 companies operating in the oil and gas sector (MEED 23:6:06).
For the WRC, Zonescorp has signed two 30-year design, build and manage contracts with Al-Rayan Investment Company and Bin Omeir Holding Group. Each contract involves the construction of an integrated WRC capable of housing up to 25,000 workers. Labourers will account for 60 per cent of the inhabitants in each city and will be provided with a minimum of 6 square metres for AED 150 ($40) a month.
Technicians will make up 20 per cent and will be given 10 square metres of living space for a monthly rent of AED 400 ($108). The remaining space will house supervisors who will occupy a minimum of 20 square metres each for AED 900 ($245) a month. Considerable space will be allocated for amenities including shops, mosques, cinemas and sports facilities.
Construction of Al-Rayan's WRC is expected to start in early 2007. Phase 1, which will include about 50 per cent of the accommodation and the infrastructure, will be completed 18 months after the start of construction, followed by phase 2 - after 24 months, and phase 3 - after 36 months. The development will have a total built-up area of 319,132 square metres and 108,170 square metres of outdoor space.
Bin Omeir's WRC is expected to start construction in early 2007 and will completed in two phases. Phase 1 will be completed within 18 months, followed by phase 2 in 24 months.
Companies have been invited to bid by 1 October for three more WRCs. Two will be at Al-Ain Industrial City and the third will be in Mussafah. All three will accommodate up to 25,000 workers.
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