MUSCAT -- Six Omani construction firms are competing for a contract to build a major fishing harbour in Seeb wilayat in Muscat Governorate. In the race for the multi million riyal contract are Oman Shapoorji Construction Co, Al Adrak Trading & Contracting, Galfar Engineering & Contracting, Modern Construction, Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), and Larsen & Toubro (Oman). The six firms submitted firm offers in bids that opened earlier this week.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is financing the development of the harbor, which will come as a major boost to the wilayat's thriving fishing community. The facility will be built to accommodate a variety of fishing vessels of different capacities. According to officials, the Seeb harbor will be equipped to provide safe berthing and mooring facilities for around 200 small boats (skiffs) and 10 multi-purpose vessels.
Envisioned in the second phase is an expansion of the harbour capacity to cater to an additional 50 skiffs, 10 multipurpose vessels and 200 bigger boats.
This phase will primarily cater to the Youth Vessels planned by the ministry an ambitious public-private partnership (PPP) designed to create a new modern fleet of fishing vessels, owned and operated by young, trained Omani fishermen. The contract calls for the construction of two breakwaters, the dredging of the harbor basin, and the construction of an entrance channel. Also planned as part of the harbor infrastructure are two pontoons in the first phase, and a fixed berth for the Youth Vessels in the second phase.
In addition a land area of eight hectares will be reclaimed to provide space for the construction of harbor buildings, approach roads, vehicle and boat parking and other utility structures. The onshore infrastructure also includes fish auction halls, ice plants and cold storage facilities. Development of the Seeb fish harbor is part of the government's Ten-Year Fisheries Sector Development Plan (TYFSDP), a comprehensive fishery harbor development programme for the entire country. The objective of the TYFSDP is to develop a modern fishery industry backed by a network of harbors, processing and market facilities.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
