Ajman Marina Phase II to begin soon

Tenders have been invited for the construction of the second phase of the infrastructure development of Ajman Marina, which is scheduled to start within the next three months.

Work on the first phase of infrastructure development has been progressing as planned and will be complete in 2009, said Abdullah Al Dehalm, Deputy CEO of Ajman Marina.

Speaking to Emirates Business yesterday, Dehalm said the progress of the work has been satisfactory and expressed confidence the project will be complete in five years as originally planned.

"The contract was awarded to China Harbour Engineering to develop the project's infrastructure. We started the first phase of the infrastructure development work two months ago. The contract includes the construction of the key wall and reclamation of land," said Dehalm.

Mouchel has been appointed as the managing consultant for the project. Following the award of the Dh 9billion contract, Mouchel will supervise and manage the 390,000 cubic metres of digging and piling works and the 557,000 cubic metres of filling works for the Marina's quay wall, which once completed, will extend over about 1,700 metres.

According to Dehalm, six companies are participating in the tender for the second phase of the infrastructure work. "We are yet to finalise on the contractor. The work on the second phase would start by early next year and would include facilitating the requirement of power, water, roads," said Dehlam.

The project, according to him, will require the construction of a 180KW power station. "It is not sure if we are going to build the power plant here or outside. But this is what we require," he said and expressed confidence about measures being under taken to cater to the requirement of power and water in the emirate. "Following the completion of the first phase of infrastructure development, we will be ready to start work on individual developments within the project. Work on about nine towers are expected to start thereafter. The second and third phases of infrastructure work will proceed simultaneously," he said.

The third phase of infrastructure development will start by the end of 2009.

Dehalm said the benefits of reduced construction cost will be passed on the end users. "The price of steel and diesel has reduced and we expect the construction cost to reduce as well."