Kuwait is to start building a state-of-the-art, $1.2-billion container port on Bubiyan Island early next year following cabinet approval, public works minister Bader Al Humaidi said.

“Work on the port will start early 2005... It will be the main port serving Kuwait, Iran and Iraq,” he said in a presentation on the port recently.
The government has given the project the green light as part of a major plan to develop Bubiyan – the largest of the emirate's nine islands – into a free zone, storage area, oil depot and recreational services.
The port will become operational in stages, beginning in early 2008 with a 1.3-million standard container capacity ahead of final completion by 2016.
The plan, which does not need parliament's approval, calls for setting up a special company to oversee the project, which could cost as much as $3.47 billion over a possible 30-year lifespan to finish various stages, Tawil said. He said the government would spend about $1 billion initially on building infrastructure, including berths.
But the private sector will build the quays and piers, and will be responsible for container docks and transport systems such as a rail road, bridges and highways, if needed.
“The initial cost to the government will be about $1 billion for infrastructure but the private sector will take care of the rest,” he said. “It will be run by private sector.”
The design, financial studies and tenders will be finished during 2005 while actual works are expected to start in early 2006, the minister added.
The port is expected to start receiving vessels at the end of 2008.