Mubarak Al Kabeer Port
Port in Kuwait
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port (Arabic: ميناء مبارك الكبير) is an under construction port in Bubiyan Island, Kuwait on Khor Abdullah.[1][2][3][4] The expected completion date of the port is in 2026.[5] The port is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.[6][7]
| Mubarak Al Kabeer Port | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port | |
  Mubarak Al Kabeer Port Location in Kuwait | |
Native name | ميناء مبارك الكبير |
| Location | |
| Country | Kuwait |
| Location | Bubiyan Island |
| Coordinates | 29.865°N 48.318°E |
Background
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.[6][7] Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is part of the first phase of the Silk City project.[6][7] The port is an essential part of Kuwait Vision 2035 and will create new job opportunities in Kuwait.[7]
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is part of the Gulf Railway project in Kuwait.[8]
History
According to MEED, the project's contract was awarded in November 2019.[9] The port is set to be environmentally sustainable.[10][11] In September 2020, it was reported that the port is 53% complete.[12] In March 2021, it was announced that Kuwait and Pakistan will develop linkages between Gwadar Port and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.[13][14]
In April 2021, the port's first phase was completed (4 berths).[4] As part of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's development, Bubiyan Island will contain power plants and substations.[11][2][15][16] A 5,000-megawatt power plant has already been built in Subiya.[17] There is a current road project connecting Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's first phase to the existing road network in Bubiyan Island.[18][4] Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is among Kuwait's largest infrastructure projects in 2021.[19][20] The port's fire stations are currently under development.[21]
Iraq-Kuwait relations
The port entails developing mutually beneficial economic ties with Iraq.[22] In early 2011, the port caused tensions between Kuwait and Iraq due to its proximity to Iraq's under-construction Grand Faw Port. In September 2011, Iraq's foreign minister announced that the dispute over Mubarak Al Kabeer Port has been resolved.[23]
In August 2019, Iraq sent a protest letter against Kuwait to the United Nations regarding the maritime area that lies beyond marker 162 in Khor Abdullah by upraising a shoal, namely Fisht al-Aych, and accusing Kuwait of making geographical changes to its maritime border.[24][25][26]