Oman’s Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has invited tenders from global engineering firms to build a major bulk liquid berths terminal at the Port of Duqm in the sultanate, said a report.

Sezad aims to start construction by the end of the year, stated the Oman Observer in its report.

The world-scale industrial and maritime hub on Oman’s Wusta coast will handle liquid volumes, comprising mainly refined petroleum commodities, chemicals and petrochemicals, it added.

WorleyParsons, a reputed engineering consultancy services firm, is currently undertaking the front-end engineering design (Feed) of the Bulk Liquid Berths project, which includes a refinery products terminal with six liquid berths, and a Pet Coke berth, the report said.

According to Sezad, the prequalification exercise marks the start of a competitive process leading to the appointment of a competent engineering firm to carry out the Detailed Design, Procurement and Construction of the new bulk liquid berths terminal.

Preference will be given to major contractors and joint venture companies in light of the multi-disciplinary nature of the work scope, Oman Observer quoted Sezad as saying.

The project also includes the construction of a jetty as well as dredging and reclamation, while topside facilities will include product storage tanks, dry bulk facilities, pipelines, buildings, road and other infrastructure.

Bidders that meet Sezad’s prequalification criteria will be invited to tender for the main EPC package in the second quarter of 2015, the report said.

A dedicated area along the Northern Lee Breakwater has been earmarked for the development of a number of terminals designed to the handle the SEZ’s substantial component of liquid cargoes.

The Bulk Liquids Terminal project is scheduled to be handed over to Duqm Petroleum Terminal Company (DPTC) before the end of 2018 ahead of the start-up of the proposed Duqm Refinery project in 2019, according to Oman Observer.