DOHA: Qatar has a vision that by 2030, it aims to be able to sustain its development and provide a high standard of living for its growing population.
To do this, vital infrastructure projects are underway, some of which have been fast-tracked since it won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. As a result, construction is evident everywhere in Qatar, including works on road, rail, air and sea.
While media focus has mainly been on the glamorous stadia, happening steadily behind the scenes, is one of the biggest construction projects in the Gulf region.
Strategically located south of Doha, the QAR27bn ($7.4bn) mega project, includes a new port, a new base for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and the Qatar Economic Zone 3.
“In total, the port project is about 26km²,” explained Tim Verdon, programme director, AECOM, the programme management consultant on the New Port Project.
One of the main reasons for NPP’s location is the proximity to the existing Mesaieed Industrial City, which has its own port situated on a major shipping channel, explains Verdon, “of which we are taking advantage”. The port handles heavy industries and a wide range of petroleum products.
While Qatar has an existing harbour, it serves more as a domestic facility than an international port. “The importance of the NPP becomes clear when you consider that the current port is reaching maximum throughput capacity and its city-centre location is unable to support healthy expansion,” Verdon explained.
The raw materials needed to complete large construction projects, many of which are now accelerating, will demand capacity which the current port does not have.
“Qatar faces a high demand for construction materials to complete key infrastructure projects in readiness for the Football World Cup in 2022. The port will play a significant role in ensuring these material needs are met and, the major projects already include into their schedules the delivery of the contractors’ materials to the new port,” he added.
