Kuwait has signed a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island.

The contract, valued at 1.219 billion Kuwaiti dinars, or approximately $4.1 billion, was signed between the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and CCCC.

The agreement covers the execution of the first phase of the strategic port located in northern Kuwait’s Jahra Governorate.

The signing ceremony was attended by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, senior cabinet ministers, and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait and Chinese enterprises.

The prime minister said the project reflects the strong relationship between Kuwait and China, noting that ties between the two countries rest on long-standing historical foundations and continued political trust. He added that the strategic partnership between the two countries is increasingly resulting in strong cooperation.

According to third-party reporting of remarks made at the event, officials from the Chinese Embassy said the signing represents a key step in implementing bilateral cooperation agreements between the two countries.

The project was also described as supporting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, while contributing to Kuwait’s economic diversification plans and long-term development objectives.

CCCC confirmed that the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port will be the company’s first port project in the Middle East to be partially built to Chinese standards from the outset.

Reporting on statements made by the company, a senior executive said the project would incorporate CCCC’s technology and engineering expertise and is expected to serve as a model of China-Kuwait cooperation.

The agreement follows approval by Kuwait’s Central Agency for Public Tenders, which authorised the contract earlier this month. The Ministry of Public Works confirmed that the EPC contract relates specifically to the port’s first construction phase.

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is regarded as a key part of Kuwait’s plan to establish itself as a regional commercial and logistics hub.

The port is intended to create a secure trade corridor and strengthen Kuwait’s position within regional and international supply chains.

It is also a flagship infrastructure project under Kuwait Vision 2035, which aims to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and diversify the national economy.

China has previously expressed interest in linking the port to its Belt and Road Initiative.

Once operational, the port is expected to improve Kuwait’s trade connectivity, expanding its maritime trade capabilities, and supporting long-term economic growth.

Reference: scio gov