Since the award of the first design and programme management contracts in 2008, the New Port project team has made tremendous strides in developing the framework and foundation required to bring the New Port Project to completion. As Qatar prepares to host the Football World Cup in 2022, the need for a modern port with increased capacity to meet Qatar’s growing import demands takes on a new and greater importance. Having commenced construction works, the New Port Project stays on its path toward Phase 1 operational readiness in 2016. Phases 2 and 3 have been brought forward from 2030 to 2020.
With thirteen major contractors undertaking construction work on site, the Project now has a workforce of over 18,000 and has recorded over 100 million man hours.
The Port Basin and Access Channel were flooded in March 2015 by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Middle East Dredging Company (Q.S.C.). Middle East Dredging Company (Q.S.C.) also completed the dredging operations in August 2015. With the completion of the marine access to Hamad Port, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, the world’s largest STS cranes manufacturer, were able to commence the delivery of the 12 Ship to Shore Cranes and 38 Yard Cranes for the port’s container terminal. The first shipment of cranes arrived at Hamad Port on 19 July 2015 and the second shipment of cranes on 13 August 2015. The final shipment of 12 RTG cranes arrived on 4 October 2015.
On 24 December 2015, Hamad Port was officially opened for early partial operations and the Port received its first commercial ‘ro-ro’ (roll-on roll-off) cargo vessel at the Early Operations Terminal based at the site of the future Container Terminal 3.
The CT3 Early Operations Terminal was developed by the Joint Venture of Teyseer Contracting Company W.L.L./Consolidated Contractors Group S.A.L. (Offshore) for the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani). The ship’s arrival was marked by an inauguration ceremony attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Ministers and Mwani officials.
Hamad Port is now receiving general and ‘ro-ro’ commercial cargo which includes vehicles, livestock and heavy equipment.
The Joint Venture of Teyseer Contracting Company W.L.L./Consolidated Contractors Group S.A.L. (Offshore) continues construction of Container Terminal 1 and phase 1 operations at CT-1 are planned to commence in Q2 2016.
The HBK Contracting Company/Afcons Joint Venture is undertaking the construction of the Port’s Commercial Terminals (the Multi-Use Terminal, General Cargo Terminal and Offshore Supply Base).
The Construction Development Company and Boom Construction Joint Venture is undertaking the design and construction of the Port’s Centralized Customs Inspection Area.
Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar Ltd. has commenced the manufacture of Port Vessels, including tug boats, pilot boats and mooring boats.
Sinohydro-United Construction Establishment Joint Venture was awarded the first of two Port Buildings’ construction packages for a scope that includes 60 Buildings, as designed by the Port’s Building Design Consultant, Arab Engineering Bureau.
The second Port Buildings package includes the construction of an iconic Port Control Tower as well as the Port and Customs administration buildings and was awarded to Construction Development Company in December 2014. Construction of the buildings and the Control Tower is underway.
China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) has now substantially completed their works and is demobilising from the site. Their completed works include Hamad Port’s 8.5km quay wall, comprising 35,224 pre-cast concrete blocks (the equivalent of 1.4 million m3 of C40 concrete). CHEC completed excavation of over 70 million m3 of material for the formation of the Port Basin and over 2.7 km of marine breakwaters.
Naval Base marine works by China Harbour Engineering Company are over 80% complete with completed works including the Naval Base quay wall, comprising a total of 13,622 pre-cast blocks. The Naval Base basin was flooded in April 2015.
Qatar Building Company and MSF Engenharia Joint Venture was awarded the Naval Base Infrastructure and Utility Buildings contract in December 2014. Their contract scope covers 53 km of road pavement, 32 km storm drainage network and the design and construction of 14 Utility Buildings.
The Industrial Canal for the Um Alhoul Special Economic Zone (former QEZ3) north of Hamad Port, awarded to Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company/Boskalis Westminster Middle East Consortium is expected to be complete in Q1 of 2016. In July 2015, dry excavation of the Um Alhoul Economic Zone was completed and dredging works for the access channel were completed in August 2015. Construction of the quay wall is also completed with over 9,800 pre-cast concrete blocks installed. In December 2015, the filling of the Basin and Access Channel was completed.