Tenders have been issued for two major packages on the $810 million Durrat Al Bahrain project which is taking shape in the southeast of Bahrain.

The Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain Company has invited prequalified international companies to submit requests for proposals (RFP) for design, construction and management of a 400-room hotel. The estimated $250 million six-star hotel will have 14 storeys.

The second package is for a 320-berth marina and its village (200,000 sq m), which is estimated to cost $30 million.

According to a spokesperson for the developer, a total of 14 local and international companies have been called to submit bids.

Owned by the Bahraini government and Saudi Arabia's Dallah Al Baraka Group, the 20 sq km island and onshore complex will be home to around 20,000 people when the project reaches final completion in 2007.

Work on the BD10 million ($26.5 million) Aqua Park, a focal point of the residential and holiday resort, is now nearing completion. The park is scheduled to open by June.

Meanwhile, Boskalis Westminster Middle East Limited and Saudi Archirodon Limited are currently working on the 18-month dredging and reclamation contract for the project, which was awarded late last year.