The Civil Engineering Contractor August 2018 | Page 9

CONTRACTORS ON SITE The Tanzanian government announced in late April this year that construction of the long-awaited Bagamoyo Port was to commence in June. The Tanzanian Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Makame Mbarawa, says the government was in final talks with investors of China Merchants Holdings International (CMHI), a port management firm, and the government of Oman. The Oman Sultanate is a member of China’s new Silk Road project and a member of the Asian Bank for Investment in Infrastructure. On its completion, the Bagamoyo Port is expected to boost the East African country’s economy and attract major investment to the country, which is the second-largest economy in the East African region behind Kenya. The project — which had been mooted in 2013 by retired President Jakaya Kikwete — is part of a programme to positio n Tanzania as East Africa’s leading shipping and logistics centre. The port is located about 75 kilometres from Dar es Salaam and 10 kilometres from Bagamoyo town. When fully developed, the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone will become a strategic investment zone in East Africa. However, construction of the port has been hit by delays, with Mbarawa explaining to parliament: “The talks took too long to be completed for benefit of the nation. We had to ensure that every project has wider impact to the country’s economy.” The Bagamoyo Port is also meant to address congestion at the old Dar es Salaam Port, with operations expected to commence between 2020 and 2021. Construction of the port would be carried out through a collaboration between China and Oman, with over 190 businesses to also be constructed around Bagamoyo, including the manure processing industry that will be put up by the government of Oman. When fully developed, the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone will attract about 700 industries. The Bagamoyo Port and its affiliate industrial zone is meant to address congestion at the old port and support Tanzania to become East Africa’s leading shipping and logistics centre. Source: Xinhua The Port of Bagamoyo is no longer a dream, with construction poised to commence soon. Cape Town airport set for upgrade June construction date for USD10-bn Bagamoyo Port Cape Town International Airport upgrades, and awaits new name. A tender has been issued by Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) for the construction of industrial and warehousing facilities on a 16 200m² site at the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) Precinct 2, in the Western Cape. The tender was issued for a private developer to either develop or purchase and develop the land. The tender is part of a broader upgrade of CTIA’s infrastructure. The major contract (though not the current tender) will be for a realigned runway. Preliminary work began as far back as 2008, but the bulk of the project didn’t start until July 2017. Work on the runway is expected to conclude in 2021. CTIA will also get a new domestic arrivals terminal. Construction on the new terminal was due to start in March 2018. Terminal two is also being redeveloped, with completion planned for June 2019. Finally, a new international departure lounge and boarding gates are set for completion in June 2019. The current tender is for commercial property development. CEC August 2018 - 7