Construction has already begun on the deepwater bulk jetty, which is being built to meet the shipping needs of Brazilian miner Vale. The company is currently building a huge iron ore pelletising and distribution centre at the industrial port, according to the Oman Daily Observer.

 

It is hoped the jetty will begin operation by the first quarter of 2011, to coincide with the scheduled commencement of Vale's pelletising activities, and be fully operational in the second part of 2011.

 

Van Oord has begun dredging the approach channel and berthing pockets, having so far dredged some 8 million m³ from the seabed. The company has deployed one of the world's largest dredgers at site.

 

New General Dry Bulk and Aggregates Terminal

A 200m-long section along the jetty-trestle will be developed into a dedicated platform for the import and export of aggregates and bulk commodities. The platform is located close to where the giant carriers from Brazil will discharge their iron ore for Vale's pelletising plant. Conveyor belts running along the length of the jetty will connect the platform to a special stockyard for both imports and exports. Loading and unloading of ships will be done by mechanical arms hooked to the conveyor system, the ODO reports.

 

The new platform, involving an investment of several tens of millions of dollars, will have a capacity to handle 6-10 million tonnes of aggregates and dry bulk commodities per year. Investments in the superstructure, such as the loading/unloading arms and other facilities, will be made by a platform operator, whose selection is currently being finalised, according to port officials.

The new Aggregates and Dry Bulk Platform is targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2012. Until that time, a temporarily facility could become available to start the operations already in 2010, the ODO reports.