"Nine firms apply to prequalify for Omani airport contracts"

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Nine firms apply to prequalify for Ras al Hadd airport contracts    
By Conrad Prabhu
The Oman Daily Observer


MUSCAT -- Nine construction firms have signaled their intent to participate
in a competitive government tender for the development of an airport at Ras
al Hadd in the Sharqiyah region. The new airport is seen as key to the Omani
government's goal of positioning Ras al Hadd as a world-class eco-tourism
destination, centering largely on its turtle breeding beaches, nature
reserve and potentially rich archaeological heritage. The greenfield
facility, targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, is part of an
ambitious tourism master plan that includes the development of a number of
eco-tourism resorts along the scenic Gulf of Oman coast.

Several international firms are also among those applying to prequalify for
construction contracts linked to the development of airside and terminal
facilities as part of the Ras al Hadd airport project. The line-up of
parties responding by last week's prequalification deadline are Desert Line
Projects, Samwhan Corporation, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction,
Larsen & Toubro (Oman), Strabag Oman, Bahwan Contracting, Galfar
Engineering, Alsim Alarko Sanayi and Shanfari Trading.

The Ministry of Transport and Communication has envisaged development of the
airport in two packages. One package, covering the airside facilities,
entails the construction of a four-kilometer-long and 75-metre-wide runway,
as well as taxiway, apron and car parking. The other package provides for
the construction of the passenger terminal building, concourse and Air
Traffic Control (ATC) tower, as well as the provision of boarding bridges,
baggage handling and security systems and fire-fighting facilities.

Built to Code F design standards of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), the airport will be suitable for some of the largest
aircraft in operation today, including the Airbus Superjumbo A380.
Authorities are also pursuing development of another airport project at Duqm
on the southeastern edge of the Sultanate. The greenfield facility will be
constructed in three phases. In the first phase of the project, also known
as Package 1, the selected contractor will develop access facilities and
build utilities that serve the airport during the operational phase. Package
2 covers the construction of the runways, while the terminal and associated
facilities will be built in Package 3.

The new airport is expected to spur Duqm's development into a world-scale
industrial, petrochemical and commercial hub with a major Port and Dry Dock
project at its centre. When operational in the year 2012, Duqm International
Airport is also expected to handle some of the largest aircraft in service
today, as well as a range of heavy lift aircraft. 

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