The high-tech company has ample credentials to accomplish the project to Qatar’s satisfaction

Qatar has awarded a contract to defence services firm Thales to secure its new commercial $7 billion Doha port now under construction.

Thales said in a statement it will deliver and install an integrated solution for the protection of the infrastructure and its environment, in addition to ensuring that operations of the New Doha Port
run safely.

A vital component of Qatar’s economic infrastructure, the port will comprise three container terminals with an eventual combined annual capacity in excess of six million containers per year.

Located south of Doha, the port will be one of the deepest in the world and cover 26.5 sq km. It is designed to include a new base for the Emiri Naval Forces and Qatar Economic Zone 3.

It will not only cater to the expected growth in container traffic, but will also accommodate general cargo traffic, offshore support, coast guard vessels, a marine support unit, imports of vehicles, livestock and bulk grain. In total, facilities at the New Doha Port will stretch over 20 sq km.

Thales said it will provide a high technology integrated solution managed by a security command and control centre, including a perimeter intrusion detection system, a perimeter surveillance and lighting system, a redundant IT communication network, a redundant video storage system, an under vehicle surveillance system and a tetra communication system. The secured area will have a 19 km perimeter.

Marc Darmon, executive vice-president, Secure Communications and Information Systems, said: “We are very pleased to be appointed to design and implement the security solution of the new port, an integral part of the ‘Qatar National Vision 2030’ strategy.”

The state of Qatar has previously awarded Thales a contract to secure the New Doha International Airport.

Last year, it was reported that Qatar will speed up construction of its new port by 10 years to ensure it is completed ahead of the Fifa World Cup in 2022.