Port builder moving into a larger world

One of the largest construction projects of its type in the Arab world in recent years for the China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) has been the Doha New Port Phase I, in Qatar.

State-owned CHEC, one of China's top port builders, won the $880-million contract early this year, defeating a number of European rivals.

The Doha New Port plan calls for container docks, general cargo docks, navy docks and a breakwater along about 7,800 meters of embankment. It will take over four years to complete and will mean moving an estimated 65 million cubic meters of earth.

The contract signing was done in Doha last month by Liu Qitao, president of the China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), the parent company of CHEC, and Abdulaziz Mohamed Al-Noaimi, chairman of the project steering committee.

Al-Noaimi, host of the signing ceremony, spoke at the occasion, saying, "The committee believes the choice has been wisely made, and CHEC will be the most appropriate contractor."

Liu said he believes the project will be a success, and, "With the resources of its parent company, CHEC will be able to meet all the requirements for project quality, safety and eco-friendliness."

Liu also said he hopes his company will have more opportunities to work with Qatar after the project is completed.

Strong growth

CHEC, in fact, has been able to maintain strong growth in spite of an industry downturn worldwide and fierce competition in the global marketplace.

It has offices in more than 70 countries and regions, and more than 6,000 employees.

In addition to building ports, CHEC has expertise in a variety of other fields, such as urban infrastructure, bridges, airports, power plants, and railroads.

The company has won a number of major contracts over the last three months, one of which is a new international airport in Sudan, worth more than $1 billion. It is the largest project CHEC has ever undertaken in that country.

Its deepwater port project in Kribi, Cameroon, worth nearly $500 million, came as a result of five years of hard work. It was the company's first contract in that country and one of its largest in Africa.

The second phase of Hambantota Port, started last year and worth about $810 million, is expected to help Hambantota exceed the Port of Colombo in becoming the largest in Sri Lanka.

CHEC ventured into other areas last year, such as a food reserve project in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, worth $130 million. There were also international airports in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw.

CHEC was able to expand its global reach in 2010, by opening new offices in Colombia and Iran, and hiring new people in Ghana, Liberia and Ecuador.

The company has more than 100 projects under construction, worth around $10.6 billion, 40 of which started last year.

The company's decision makers had a goal back in 2007 of turning their company into a top organizer and a leader in marine projects and engineering services by 2020.

China Daily

(China Daily 04/12/2011 page15)