Bahri, the Saudi National Shipping Company, has begun the trial operations of the first floating desalination plant, reports TradeArabia.
The plant is located near Al Shuqaiq port on the western coast of Saudi Arabia and is worth SR760 million ($202 million).
Earlier this month, Bahri signed an agreement with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC).
Metito, a global leader and provider of sustainable water management solutions, was responsible for the development of the project on a fast-track basis. Metito was awarded the contract to build the plant with a total capacity of 150,000 cu m per day in a competitive tender. The project also uses the most advanced treatment technology, Integrated Ultra Filtration.
The floating desalination facility is part of the third independent phase of the kingdom's Privatization Program and aims to ensure sustainable supply of water to enhance water security.
The project included the design, engineering, construction, operation trials, and the provision of floating barges to sail the desalination plants in addition to the completion of power generation system.
Fady Juez, Managing Director at Metito said: "Winning this innovative project is a true testament of the kingdom’s progressive vision to achieving national water security targets through sustainable projects. It highlights the government’s efforts to further engage the private sector with mega infrastructural projects."
"Metito specifically designed the plant taking into consideration mobility and flexibility of sailing the barges to different locations, according to changing water needs," stated Juez, while emphasizing the possibility of using solar energy to power the barges.
Adding that Metito is also the first firm to pioneer concession contracts through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Middle East and Africa
