KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah witnessed the signing of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project. The contract was signed by the Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al- Mashaan on behalf of Kuwait, and by the Vice President of China Communications Construction Company Limited, Chen Zhong, on behalf of China. During the ceremony, His Highness the Prime Minister highlighted the depth of Kuwaiti-Chinese relations, which are based on a solid historical foundation of political trust, mutual respect, and shared interests.

He explained that the relations, built on the wise leadership of both countries and a shared political will to enhance cooperation across various fields, have now reached a new milestone with the signing of the EPC contract to complete the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project. The occasion coincides with the second anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad assuming the reins of power in the country, reflecting visionary guidance and a steadfast commitment to achieving developmental milestones.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmad affirmed that the project is a central pillar of the New Kuwait 2035 vision, contributing to economic diversification, boosting national income, creating quality job opportunities, and developing national capabilities in logistics, commerce, and related service sectors. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan explained that implementation contracts for the remaining major development projects will be signed successively in the coming period, following the completion of all necessary procedures and coordination with relevant ministries, authorities, and regulatory bodies. This ensures that the projects are executed according to the highest technical and administrative standards.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Works, in an official statement, explained that the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project aims to enhance the capacity of Kuwaiti ports to meet current and future demand for container traffic and various types of goods to and from Kuwait. It also seeks to provide a strategic logistics gateway for transporting goods northward to neighboring countries without direct access to the Arabian Gulf, reinforcing Kuwait’s role as a regional hub for trade and maritime transport. The signing ceremony was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, government members, and senior officials from the Chinese state-owned company affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Transport. The scope of work covers the renovation of existing facilities and a helipad. The package signed is part of the construction and maintenance works for Phase Two of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project under an EPC contract.

It includes the construction of a container yard, infrastructure, and buildings, as well as the repair and renovation of existing facilities and installations based on the results and recommendations from the Early Engineering Inspection (ECI) phase. The work also covers the cathodic protection (CP) system, ensuring its continued operation throughout the implementation period and until project handover. The project’s scope of work is comprehensive, covering a wide range of design, supply, installation, and commissioning activities. This includes all necessary handling equipment and the construction of important facilities such as the Sky View Tower, a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant, a wastewater treatment plant, and a solid waste handling facility.

The project also involves major civil and marine works, including the construction of a sand barrier, designated areas for dredged material disposal, dredging of the port basin and the connecting channel at the port entrance, the small boat harbor, disposal works, and soil improvement works. A VIP helipad is also included in the overall scope. It is worth mentioning that the executive contract to complete the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project is valued at KD 1.218 billion, as part of the first cooperation agreements with the People’s Republic of China.

By Mohammed Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff