Port Technology reports that Daewoo Engineering & Construction and China Construction are among 16 bidders who have submitted tenders for the first phase of construction of Iraq’s new US$6 billion port.
Omran Rahdi Thani, general manager of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, told Bloomberg that Hyundai Engineering, Habtoor Leighton Group and Dredging International have also submitted bids for the contract, which includes the build of a giant breakwater and service pier.
Turkish, Brazilian, Italian, Jordanian, Ukrainian and Iraqi companies have also expressed an interest in the contract, believed to be worth around US$412 million, said Radhi.
The General Company for Ports of Iraq, the state-owned company responsible for Iraq’s ports, is expected to announce its preferred bidder in around two months time once all the bids have been assessed.
The first phase of the giant port, to be known as Grand Faw, will be financed by the Iraqi government, added Rahdi.
The construction of Grand Faw Port is part of Iraq’s long-term objective of turning Iraq into a gateway between Europe and the Middle East.
Port Technology said the preliminary plans for Grand Faw include a 7,000m quay for containerized trade, and a 3,500m dock for general cargo.