MUSCAT: Three new container berths, new government berths, a dedicated cruise terminal, expanded breakwater arms, and a new approach channel will be constructed as a part of the Phase 3 expansion of Port of Salalah, it has been reported.
Billed as the largest upgrade since the port came into operation in 1998, the Phase 3 expansion is expected to cost “several hundred million dollars to implement”, Oman Daily Observer said.
According to officials, the most significant component of the upgrade is the expansion of the existing container terminal through the design and implementation of Quays 7, 8 and 9, each of about 450 metres in length and 500 metres wide.
The berths, which add a further 1,350 metres of quay wall to the port’s existing 2,500-metre-long quay length, will be equipped with the backland infrastructure to support modern, efficient container terminal operations.
The selected bidder will design and oversee the implementation of a roughly 3.7-kilometre-long North Breakwater whose primarily function is to protect the existing and future berths against long-wave energy responsible for moored vessel motion. Various new structures and facilities have also been planned for design and implementation as part of the Phase 3 expansion.
These include the construction of a 300-metre-long stub breakwater to be constructed perpendicular to the North Breakwater to protect the government and cruise berths against locally generated waves and other waves diffracting into the port from the harbour entrance.
The consultancy services contract calls for the design of new berths for tugboats and pilot boats, along with all other associated landside infrastructure, the report added. A marina for small crafts will also be designed at a suitable site chosen on the basis of a study to be carried out by the consultant.
