Duqm Liquid Bulk Berths

Transforming a remote port into an international fuel hub

Six Construct served as the principal civil works subcontractor for the development of two dual-berth jetties and a 1-kilometre quay wall at the Port of Duqm, Oman. Executed in consortium with Royal Boskalis Westminster (RBW), the project significantly enhances the port’s capacity to accommodate and service large container vessels, positioning Duqm as a strategic international fuel hub.

Project overview

The Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) responsibilities were efficiently distributed between the consortium partners. RBW managed rock cladding, dredging, and land reclamation, while Six Construct led the detailed design and construction of the maritime infrastructure, including the quay wall and twin-berth jetties, along with associated facilities and navigation systems.

Effective coordination and seamless communication enabled the timely and successful delivery of this complex project.

Scope of works

The remote location - 500 km from Muscat - posed significant logistical challenges, particularly in sourcing materials and equipment. These were overcome through meticulous planning and digital pre-execution of the entire project. BESIX Engineering introduced an innovative approach by proposing construction "in the dry," enhancing both efficiency and structural quality.

Key highlights

Construction of two dual-berth jetties and a 1 km quay wall
Execution in a remote desert location, 500 km from the nearest city
Innovative "in the dry" construction method using a sand dam and dewatering
Dredging of 26 million m³ of seabed material
Worksite located 20 metres below sea level
Re-flooding of the port completed over two weeks, with sea levels rising up to 2 metres per day

The BESIX Engineering team proposed a solution to build 'in the dry'. This made a real difference: we could both limit construction and improve the quality of the permanent structures. With everything visible to the naked eye, precise working was crucial. All in the interest of our client.