A Chinese / Malaysian joint venture has beaten a rival bid by a British / Greek consortium to win US$493M design and build contract for a tunnel and runway package at New Doha International Airport in Qatar.
The deal was awarded to Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation in partnership with two Malaysian firms Gamuda and WCT. This followed a ruling by the airport steering committee overseeing the project that the lowest bidder – Britain’s Balfour Beatty and Greek firm Consolidated Contractors International Company – had lodged a tender that was non-compliant.
As a result the committee asked Sinohydro-Gamuda-WCT and the third placed bidder, South Korean contractor Daewoo Engineering & Construction, to submit revised prices. The Sinohydro-Gamuda-WCT group won with a lower offer. Sinohydro will hold a 60 per cent stake in the partnership, while Gamuda has 25 per cent and WCT 15 per cent.
Work involves the construction of a 1km dual three-lane tunnel that will be about 33m wide as part of a scheme to build twin runways and other airfield facilities at the new airport. Completion of the contract is due in 33 months.
