Duqm Terminal, a unit of Oman Oil Company has invited expressions of interest from engineering firms for the construction of the topside infrastructure for a liquid storage terminal and dry bulk project at Duqm port in the sultanate, said a report.

It is the logistics provider for the storage and handling of liquid products in the new Port of Duqm on the Wusta coast of the country.

The contract, which covers a substantial package of works, represents Phase Two of the liquid storage terminal and dry bulk facilities project, reported Oman Observer.

The project is proposed to be developed along the lee breakwater of the Port of Duqm. It will serve as the outgo port for Duqm Refinery, an ambitious 230,000-barrels-per-day capacity greenfield project that is currently under development not far from that location, it stated.

While Phase One of the project will be financed by the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad), as part of its mandate to provide the basic infrastructure for the maritime and industrial hub, Phase Two will be funded by Duqm Terminal.

The successful bidder will win a contract to undertake the detailed design, procurement and construction of a package of works that includes, among other things, liquid storage tanks, pipelines and loading facilities, dry bulk handling facilities for pet-coke and sulphur storage, ship loaders and conveyors, buildings, roads infrastructure, and associated utilities, said the report.

Interested contractors are required to seek prequalification to participate in a tender for the selection of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor to build the topside infrastructure for the project, it stated.

The deadline for submission of letters of interest is January 22.

Separately, nine international firms are in contention for the marine infrastructure package, representing Phase One of the project, the report added.