Qatar’s Transport Infrastructure Sector – pt 1

Qatar’s Transport Infrastructure Sector – pt 1

The Maxim recruitment blog takes a two part look at the flourishing construction sector in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. First, air and sea.

Qatar’s population growth and economic boom has been central to the need to expand and develop its infrastructure sector. The Qatari government has outlines many significant projects to bring Qatar’s dated transport network up into the 21^st century. The boom in both the economy and population means that the transport sector needs to be upgraded to cope with Qatar’s developing needs. Projects such as the Doha International Airport and the "New" Doha International Airport are fine examples of the need to adapt and develop as are The New Doha Port and Plans for a Doha Metro Network.

Doha’s International Airport has plans to double in size by 2015. The Qatari government has already funded $400 million on the project. The current expansion is due not only to Qatar’s population growth and the amount of international interest in the country but due to the huge success of Qatar Airways. The airline is now a 5* outfit and has joined world renowned leaders in the field and brought Qatar to the attention of the world.

The outstanding success of Qatar Airways has led to further expansion of Qatar’s airspace, with the New Doha International Airport (NDIA), costing $11 Billion; it will welcome over 50 million passengers a year with 320,000 aircraft landings. Construction has begun on the project and the first two phases are expected to be completed by 2012 with the third and final phase to be completed by 2015. This prestigious project will offer hundreds of construction jobs for UK expatriates and airport professionals looking to work in the Middle East.

Qatar’s ports are key to its continuing success. The three major ports are undergoing major expansion and re development (Doha, Ras Laffan and Mesaieed) to ensure that Qatar is ready to deal with its increasing need for imports and that they do not halt the Gulf States growth. To assist in this goal the Qatari Government has approved plans to build a new port, the $5.5 Billion project, New Doha Port. Construction will begin in 2011 but will not be completed until 2030, with the first phase predicted completion of 2014. It will contain; three container terminals, general cargo berths, a livestock terminal, a vehicle terminal and space for the Qatari Navy to port. Located between Doha and Mesaieed it will eventually replace the Doha port.