Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) is steaming ahead with its Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) project and has awarded a Dh350 million (US$95.2m) construction contract to a local joint venture firm. ADPC also said it could announce within months three more major contracts for KPIZ in Taweelah, near the border with Dubai. Amid other signs the Government is stepping up the pace on large infrastructure projects after a quiet period, Al Jaber-GIS has been contracted to design, procure, integrate and install control systems throughout onshore and offshore areas of KPIZ.
Designed to replace Mina Zayed as the main port for the capital, KPIZ's cargo facilities are being built on a reclaimed island 5km offshore. It is linked by a causeway to a free zone on the mainland that will be the site of an industrial complex including the world's largest aluminium smelter, a chemicals plant and a pharmaceuticals factory. "The complex package of work is due to commence on site in the first quarter of 2011 following detailed design and procurement phases," said ADPC, the state-backed ports company. The Al Jaber-GIS contract is to be completed in the third quarter of 2012 along with the first phase of KPIZ.
The other contracts still to be awarded include those for port offshore civil-building works, port terminal infrastructure and facilities, and industrial zone road and utilities networks, ADPC said. The full five phases of KPIZ are not expected to be completed until 2028. The first phase includes the construction of the port island and the semi-automated container and break-bulk terminal, with the capacity for 2 million standard shipping containers and 9 million tonnes of conventional bulk and break-bulk cargo per year.
Yesterday's contract announcement is the third major one for the project. In March, ADPC selected Larsen and Toubro for a Dh300m contract to design and build electrical power systems, distribution substations and civil buildings. Last July, it awarded a Dh1.4 billion contract to Al Habtoor Leighton to build onshore port facilities, including 47 buildings, roads, bridges, utility installations and landscaping.
igale@thenational.ae
