Bids invited for Duqm fisheries hub master-plan

Local and international consultants are vying for a contract to master-plan the establishment of an ambitious Fisheries Industrial Complex at the Special Economic Zone (SEC) in Duqm — a strategic initiative designed to underpin the Sultanate’s appeal as a regional fisheries hub. The selected bidder will secure a contract to prepare the masterplan as well as the detailed design of the Fisheries Industrial Complex, in addition to the provision of construction supervision services when work commences in earnest on the landmark development, an official said.

“The project will capitalise on Duqm’s abundant fish stocks,” said Anwar Kahlan al Battashi, Manager — Urban Planning, Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD). “We have currently invited bidders to master-plan the Fisheries Industrial Complex, to explore what types of activities can be conducted there, help local fishermen develop new facilities, and also help international players coming to Duqm.”

The Fisheries Industrial Complex is proposed to come up alongside a major fishery port currently under construction at the SEZ. Well-known Omani construction firm Galfar Engineering & Contracting is executing the harbour project valued at around RO 60 million.

The adjacent fisheries hub will be designed to attract investments in processing plants, cold stores, training centres, and quality testing laboratories. As many as 60 processing plants can be housed within the hub in the initial phases of its development.

In formulating a master-plan for the Fisheries Industrial Complex, the selected bidder will also undertake an analysis of sustainable fishery stocks off Duqm.