14 October 2012
MUSCAT -- Oman's authorities have launched the process of selecting an international engineering consultancy firm to replace the Cowi-Larsen Joint Venture as the Main Consultant for the Muscat and Salalah expansion and modernisation projects. Last month, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced that it had decided against renewing the JV's consultancy contract beyond December 31, 2012, citing misgivings in the partnership's ability to oversee the mega-projects, particularly as a time when multiple contractors prepare to ramp up construction work at the airport sites.
Last week, the Tender Board invited international consultants to bid for a fresh contract to oversee the smooth implementation of the airport developments on behalf of the Ministry. Four major firms, notably Dar al Handasah, Hill International, AECOM Middle East, and Arcadis, have so far signaled their interest in the tender, with many other contenders expected to join the race before the October 22 submission date.
According to the head of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, the Ministry is looking at a year-end target for the selection and appointment of a competent, international consultant to take over the Cowi-Larsen JV's role as Main Consultant. "We should be finding an alternative within the next three months," Salim al Aufi, Chief Executive Officer, said. The competitive tender would help identify a "credible" firm that can provide physical evidence of experience in supervising large-scale projects of this nature.
Al Aufi did not rule out the possibility that the Ministry would "headhunt" some individuals from the existing contract who have "added a lot of value" to the project. "If they are available and if we want them, we will definitely approach them. I'm sure some of them will be approaching us as well," he stated. While acknowledging some delays in the implementation of the Muscat Airport project, Al Aufi said the Public Authority was still strongly eyeing an end-2014 deadline for the completion of the massive venture.
"We're still pushing for end-2014 for the completion of project. Every message to the contractors specifies the opening date of the airport as end-2014. We have never backed off from this date." Salalah Airport is also targeted for completion at around the same time, the CEO said. "From the communications point of view, both Muscat and Salalah airports will be connected. So you cannot open Muscat without Salalah and vice versa, because you need the communications infrastructure to be in place in order for them to be operated at the same time. At the moment we are looking at opening Salalah Airport at the same time as Muscat, or slightly sooner."
Commenting on the status of the four domestic airports currently under various stages of development at Sohar, Ras al Hadd, Adam and Duqm, he said terminal construction contracts are slated to be awarded in the first quarter of next year.
MUSCAT -- Oman's authorities have launched the process of selecting an international engineering consultancy firm to replace the Cowi-Larsen Joint Venture as the Main Consultant for the Muscat and Salalah expansion and modernisation projects. Last month, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced that it had decided against renewing the JV's consultancy contract beyond December 31, 2012, citing misgivings in the partnership's ability to oversee the mega-projects, particularly as a time when multiple contractors prepare to ramp up construction work at the airport sites.
Last week, the Tender Board invited international consultants to bid for a fresh contract to oversee the smooth implementation of the airport developments on behalf of the Ministry. Four major firms, notably Dar al Handasah, Hill International, AECOM Middle East, and Arcadis, have so far signaled their interest in the tender, with many other contenders expected to join the race before the October 22 submission date.
According to the head of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, the Ministry is looking at a year-end target for the selection and appointment of a competent, international consultant to take over the Cowi-Larsen JV's role as Main Consultant. "We should be finding an alternative within the next three months," Salim al Aufi, Chief Executive Officer, said. The competitive tender would help identify a "credible" firm that can provide physical evidence of experience in supervising large-scale projects of this nature.
Al Aufi did not rule out the possibility that the Ministry would "headhunt" some individuals from the existing contract who have "added a lot of value" to the project. "If they are available and if we want them, we will definitely approach them. I'm sure some of them will be approaching us as well," he stated. While acknowledging some delays in the implementation of the Muscat Airport project, Al Aufi said the Public Authority was still strongly eyeing an end-2014 deadline for the completion of the massive venture.
"We're still pushing for end-2014 for the completion of project. Every message to the contractors specifies the opening date of the airport as end-2014. We have never backed off from this date." Salalah Airport is also targeted for completion at around the same time, the CEO said. "From the communications point of view, both Muscat and Salalah airports will be connected. So you cannot open Muscat without Salalah and vice versa, because you need the communications infrastructure to be in place in order for them to be operated at the same time. At the moment we are looking at opening Salalah Airport at the same time as Muscat, or slightly sooner."
Commenting on the status of the four domestic airports currently under various stages of development at Sohar, Ras al Hadd, Adam and Duqm, he said terminal construction contracts are slated to be awarded in the first quarter of next year.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
