makes handling and driving technically difficult.The jetty is designed to handle some of the biggest ore carriers in the world. The largest design vessel for the import of iron ore, being a 400,000 DWT Chinamax ship. Vale is investing in building two of these monster ore carriers specially for this operation, the first one of which has been recently completed.To accommodate these enormous vessels it was necessary to dredge the approach channel into the port and a berthing pocket. Royal Haskoning was also asked to undertake the contract management for this project, which involved the removal of nearly 8 million m3 of material.On the export side of the jetty there are two berths for smaller vessels for exporting the steel pellets. The largest design vessel for Export berth 1 is a 75,000 DWT Panamax ship and for Export berth 2 a 150,000 DWT Cape size ship. The challenge for Royal Haskoning was to support and provide assistance to the client in ensuring the jetty could provide the functionality that Vale required. This was important as the contractor was to build the basic jetty with the intent that Vale would fit out the jetty with buildings and mechanical and electrical installation.The contractor, a Joint venture between a European and an Indian contractor has brought together many cultures. Mike Chambers, Resident Engineer, Royal Haskoning says "It has been a challenge working with so many different cultures on such a big project." At the peak of construction there were over 2, 000 men on site working shifts to cover 24/7 activity. To supervise this, Royal Haskoning has a thirteen strong team of administration and construction staff on site with additional inspectors looking after offsite fabrication in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The site team comprise of five Omani administration staff with the Assistant Resident Engineer and inspectors from Pakistan and India, led by Mike Chambers and Project Manager Harvey Bostock. Mike says "the Royal Haskoning supervision staff on site has worked incredibly hard to ensure the expected standards have been maintained"."It has truly been a pleasure to work with such a professional and multicultural staff. To me this is the great thing about undertaking large projects abroad. It is so interesting and rewarding working with people from so many countries", Mike added. Mike Chambersm.chambers@royalhaskoning.com+968 992 29528Harvey Bostockh.bostock@royalhaskoning.com+968 932 00159""It has truly been a pleasure to work with such a professional and multicultural staff. To me this is the great thing about undertaking large projects abroad. It is so interesting and rewarding working with people from so many countries.Mike Chamber, Resident Engineer Royal HaskoningImage courtesy of Sohar Port Special Projectsrangeinternational >> 21

A NEW SHIPYARD AND PORTCOMPLEX FOR OMANImage courtesy of Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center >> 22rangeinternational