Khalifa port contract awarded

Abu Dhabi:  The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has awarded a multi-million-dirham project management contract to US firm Bechtel, for construction of the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone. Bechtel will develop construction strategy and development phasing, plus control of the development master programme, for the Dh8bn new port in Taweelah, 40km from Abu Dhabi. Exact value of the contract is as yet undisclosed, but is said to run into several hundred million dirhams. 'We are continuing to rapidly implement the vision of creating a world-class port facility and industrial zone at Taweelah,' says ADPC md Ahmad Saeed Al Calily. 'We will benefit from Abu Dhabi's strategic location and this project will place it on the list of world ports equipped with the latest technology,' he adds. Work on the project has already begun and, within five years, it is expected that operations at Port Zayed will be shifted to the new facility.  [29/08/06]