Contract worth DH1B awarded to build key infrastructure for Khalifa Port project

Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has awarded a key contract worth Dh1.028 billion to build vital infrastructure at its mega Khalifa Port being constructed in Taweelah, near Dubai.

The contract has been awarded to a joint venture between ED Zublin AG and Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting.

The joint venture will carry out the detailed design, construction, fit-out, testing and commissioning of the offshore port’s civil and structural building works, which will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the commencement of the port’s operations in 2012.

Work is due to begin immediately and is scheduled for completion in August 2012.

ADPC Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas commented on his pleasure in announcing another key partner who is committed to delivering a high quality solution, safely, on time and to budget. 

The project includes construction of 23 buildings and associated structures, including the Terminal Operations Building — a six storey construction which will become the port’s centre of operations.

Other significant buildings include an offshore clinic, fire station, harbour master building, worker services building, four 11kV substations and maintenance and repair workshops.

Located midway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the Taweelah industrial district, the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) Port will commence operations in 2012.

By 2030, the port is expected to hold 420 square kilometres of prime industrial land organised into vertically integrated clusters for aluminium, petrochemicals, glass, paper and other major sectors. 

It will consist of a new, world-class multi-purpose offshore port and one of the largest integrated industrial zones in the world. 

KPIZ is part of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and will play a major role in the emirate’s industrial and economic diversification by serving as a key hub for large scale industrial investments serviced by a world-class port, transport and other facilities.

Phase 1 of Khalifa Port will open in 2012, replacing Abu Dhabi’s existing main port of Mina Zayed.

The new port will have an initial capacity of two million TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) and nine million tonnes of general cargo.

When all phases of Khalifa Port are completed, it will have a capacity of 15 million TEUs and 35 million tonnes of general cargo.