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

The port of Duqm is seen as a catalyst for development on local and regional levels of the Al Wusta region. The new port includes a dry dock for vessels up to 600,000 DWT, a 2250m commercial quay, 980m government berths, 4.1km main breakwater, 4.6km lee breakwater and dredging the approached channel to -19m CD and the basin to -18m CD. The port and dry dock complex are being built to increase trade, i.e. cargo trans-shipment, ship repair, manufacturing industry and tourism. In terms of the scope of work, thenew port complex at Duqm incorporates a shipyard and dry dock complex for repair of ships up to 600,000 DWT, and facilities for commercial, and Government vessels - including berths for the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal Omani Police (Coastguard), for the Royal Omani Navy, Special Forces and Fast Ferry.Royal Haskoning has been awarded the planning and design of the port based on the up-scaled (600,000 DWT) shipyard and to undertake the supervision of construction that all together form a fee of approx 12 Million GBP. The project is a Joint Venture comprising Royal Haskoning with Muscat based Khatib & Alami and Partners and Al Baraka Economic Consultancy. Nabil Abdul-Rahim n.abdul-rahim@royalhaskoning.com+44 (0)7810 647528 Simon Harriess.harries@royalhaskoning.com+44(0)1733 334455In 2001 the Government of the Sultanate of Oman chose Duqm to be the location of a new shipyard and port complex. Duqm's strategic geographical coastal location - situated midway between Muscat and Salalah, makes it the natural destination point for oil tankers and other vessels.rangeinternational >> 23