WASHINGTON: Ports Management Company Mwani-Qatar yesterday reopened the harbour of Al Wakrah Port after renovation works for more than four months. Completion of the first phase of the port development is in accordance with the directive of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and within schedule, said a senior official of Mwani Qatar. Capt Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO of Mwani Ports Management, said: “We are very pleased to announce the completion of Al Wakrah Harbour rehabilitation under budget and on schedule.” The construction started on October 23 last year and was completed according to the schedule and plan drawn by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in coordination with the Fisheries Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, he added.
The renovation of the port is a temporary solution and there will be a permanent solution as part of a project to develop all ports serving fishermen and leisure boats including Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Al Dhakira, and Al Ruwais, Al Kahnji told the media during the opening ceremony. For this, tenders have been invited and will be awarded in the coming months, Al Khanji said, adding that the development of all these ports will be carried out at the same time.
Renovation of Wakrah port includes replacement of old facilities, and construction of parking facilities and walkways over an extended area of 120 to 160 metres, with 35 berths and 16 bollards. Al Khanji pointed out that the harbour’s facilities will help meet the needs of boat owners and support economic development in Al Wakrah and adjacent areas promoting business activities in a way that serves the national economy.“Mwani Qatar in coordination with other stakeholders took into account the use of the finest and best material in the project rehabilitation in an effort to protect the environment and ensure these materials keep pace with the highest standards of safety and quality, he added. The project reflects the considerable attention the stakeholders pay to providing appropriate and modern facilities with global standards and specifications to meet the needs of fishermen and boat owners, said Al Khanji.
Head of Fishing ports at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Hamad Rashid Al Khanji, said that the first phase of the renovation was limited to one side of the port and the second phase will include the other side. The completed works include the dock berths, parking facilities, sidewalks and deepening of the sea water, said Al Khanji, noting that the capacity of the harbour at this stage is 80 boats and 25 leisure boats. The second phase of this project will start in six months and with completion of the whole project the capacity will increase up to 180 wooden boats and around 200 cruisers, he told The Peninsula on the sidelines.
