Project record

Aktau Port Berths 3 and 12 Modernisation

Aktau Port container yard and operating quay cranes during the 2025 environmental and social site visit

Aktau Port / EBRD non-technical summary; operating-port context from the 2025 site visit, not construction progress

Aktau Port is procuring a design-build reconstruction of Berths 3 and 12 as one of three disclosed EBRD-governed contracts. The current programme also separates cargo-handling equipment and project supervision. EBRD's environmental record makes a further distinction: the three-phase dredging needed to open the new berths is an associated facility implemented by the port through a separate, non-EBRD-financed process.

Project signal

Tender in Kazakhstan

Current status Berths 3 and 12 design-build tender closed at first stage on 17 April 2026; construction-supervision tender remains open to 28 August 2026, with no works award or dredging start publicly confirmed Source confidence Confirmed

Location

Kazakhstan / Asia Pacific

Segment

Port infrastructure

Status

Berths 3 and 12 design-build tender closed at first stage on 17 April 2026; construction-supervision tender remains open to 28 August 2026, with no works award or dredging start publicly confirmed / Confirmed

Last checked

2 August 2026

Coverage

Related sectors

Port infrastructure is the primary work classification. Related sectors connect this record to adjacent marine delivery and market coverage.

Subject index

Related subjects

These subject pages bring together related projects, technical articles, reports, and evidence methods.

Project anatomy

Contract scope and delivery roles

Client / authority
National Company Aktau International Sea Commercial Port JSC (Aktau Port), EBRD borrower and project employer
Delivery parties
Berths 3 and 12 design-build contractor - no public award identified as of 2 August 2026; the first stage of ECEPP exercise 41950279 closed on 17 April 2026, Cargo-handling equipment supplier - no public award identified as of 2 August 2026; disclosed as separate Contract 2 for equipment and machinery supply and installation, Construction supervision and implementation-support consultant - no public award identified as of 2 August 2026; ECEPP exercise 41950553 closes on 28 August 2026, Associated dredging contractor - no public award identified as of 2 August 2026; the port is implementing dredging through a separate non-EBRD-financed process
Contract route
Aktau Port is using EBRD Client E-Procurement Portal procedures for three current contracts: open two-stage design-build works for Berths 3 and 12, goods and related services for cargo-handling equipment and machinery, and an open single-stage two-envelope consultancy for construction supervision and implementation support. The general notice says the contracts follow the EBRD Procurement Policies and Rules dated 15 May 2022 and are open internationally unless the tender documents state otherwise.
Execution window
The design-build invitation was issued on 4 February 2026 and its first stage closed on 17 April 2026. The refreshed general procurement notice was published on 26 May 2026. The supervision tender was issued on 14 July 2026 with a 28 August 2026 close. As of 2 August 2026, public sources do not show an award, notice to proceed, construction mobilisation or official dredging start.
Works package
Extend Berth 3, construct a new Berth 12, expand the rail track and carry out supporting land reclamation. The current EBRD programme also finances two ship-to-shore cranes; the 2025 non-technical summary places two new quay cranes at Berth 1 and targets container throughput of 240,000 TEU. Separate associated dredging is planned in three operational phases: excavation in Zones A and B, further excavation in Zone B and final excavation in Zone C.
Marine interfaces
The berth works cannot enter service without the separately managed dredging, navigable access, reclamation fill, rail connection, crane power and equipment commissioning. Construction inside an operating Caspian port also brings vessel, mooring, sediment, waste-disposal and cargo-continuity interfaces. EBRD requires pre-construction marine and coastal surveys around Berth 12 and the southern excavated-material fill area, while vessel routing must account for Caspian seals that may occur 10-15 kilometres offshore in summer and autumn.
Commercial evidence boundary
EBRD's current project page records a total project cost of EUR 55 million, a 10-year multicurrency loan of up to EUR 35 million and an EU Asia Pacific Investment Facility capital grant of up to EUR 10 million. Aktau Port's May 2026 general notice publishes a separate KZT 29.627249 billion estimated procurement value and says the port covers applicable taxes, including VAT. These are different financing and procurement fields and should not be converted into one false contract value. No accepted works, goods or consultancy price has been published.

Project timeline

Material developments

Dated events that changed scope, counterparties, delivery, commissioning or operating status.

Open this project in the Change Log

Aktau opened the supervision and implementation-support tender

The consultancy procurement creates a separate technical-supervision and PIU support line for the berth reconstruction, with submissions due on 28 August 2026.

Source

The refreshed general notice fixed three procurement contracts

Aktau separated the berth design-build works, cargo-handling equipment and construction supervision under an estimated KZT 29.627249 billion procurement programme.

Source

First stage of the berth design-build tender closed

The two-stage works exercise for Berths 3 and 12 reached its first submission deadline without a public award or named contractor.

Source

EBRD approved the expanded port-modernisation financing

The current project configuration adds Berths 3 and 12 reconstruction and two STS cranes under a EUR 35 million loan and up to EUR 10 million EU grant.

Source

Evidence gap

What remains unverified

Outstanding evidence

  • First-stage outcome and second-stage invitation for the Berths 3 and 12 design-build tender
  • Named design-build contractor, accepted value and contract date
  • Separate award for two STS cranes and other cargo-handling equipment
  • Construction-supervision and project-implementation-support award after 28 August 2026
  • Dredging procurement, contractor, plant and three-phase start sequence
  • Berth 3 extension, new Berth 12, rail extension and land reclamation progress
  • Pre-construction marine and coastal surveys around Berth 12 and the fill area
  • As-built depths, berth acceptance, crane commissioning and 240,000 TEU capability

Related records 2

Reporting status

Tender, confirmed confidence

Last checked 2 August 2026 across 8 cited sources. The dated timeline above carries the project events.

Last checked 2 August 2026 Cited sources 8

Sources and related records

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Source collections

Project sources 8