Port and dry dock development in Oman

The challenge

The Government of Oman contracted Royal HaskoningDHV for the design of a new port and dry dock complex at Ras Duqm, Oman. The port will stimulate the development of the region and bring employment opportunities to the area. The new port would also be used for the benefit of the Royal Navy of Oman and the Coastguard. The challenges in the area include tropical cyclones, complex seasonal (monsoon/non-monsoon) variations in wind and wave climates, and an enormous volume of loose sediments arriving to the port site from nearby cliffs.

The Solution

Several modelling studies were conducted, among others for determining the design conditions with hydrodynamic and wave modelling. Operational, extreme and cyclone conditions were considered. In addition, wave penetration was investigated using numerical modelling, with the aim to confirm that the port activities can be performed safely without unacceptable disturbances. Also, sediment modelling was conducted to understand and predict the longshore sediment transport patterns in the present situation and after the new port construction.

The Result

A practical outcome from the study was the development of a suitable and economic layout of the breakwaters and the entrance channel. The study provided in extreme design conditions required for the design of various marine structures and facilities inside and outside of the port. It also provided input conditions for navigational, mooring, and physical modelling studies.