MUSCAT – Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has issued a tender seeking consultancy services to oversee marine infrastructure works for the Al Khuwair Muscat Downtown and Waterfront Development, a flagship urban renewal project designed to transform the heart of the capital.
The consultancy contract, announced on Thursday, covers the design review and construction supervision of two major packages of marine works. The first focuses on the design and breakwater elements of a new marina, with strict deadlines linked to the continued operation of a nearby desalination plant. The second encompasses wider infrastructure, including coastal protection, reclamation, canal and lock systems, and beach protection works.
According to the ministry, Package 1 must be completed within an accelerated timeframe to avoid disruption to the desalination intake pipeline and ensure the desalination facility remains operational. Package 2, which involves a larger scope of marine and coastal engineering, will run beyond December 2026 given its links to demolition activities and existing infrastructure in the project zone.
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The tender is open to experienced international and local consulting firms specialising in civil and marine engineering, architecture, and project management. Tender documents are available until October 3, with bid submissions closing on October 8.
The Al Khuwair Downtown project, valued at around $1.3 billion and spanning 3.3 million square metres, is being designed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects. It will include a marina, public beaches, sports facilities, a cultural district, a canal promenade, and a new government ministries complex.
The development is positioned near the Al Khuwair desalination plant and adjacent to Muscat’s Ministries District, which will be gradually modernised rather than demolished. Officials say the project aims to ease congestion, improve infrastructure, and enhance quality of life in the capital while contributing to the broader objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The Muscat Downtown and Waterfront scheme is regarded as one of the largest urban projects in Oman, reinforcing the Sultanate’s drive to attract investment, diversify its economy, and create new employment opportunities.
