Maritime Infrastructure · Field work underway — revived under a Chinese state-owned contractor since March 2025
Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port
ميناء مبارك الكبير
A strategic port project on Boubyan Island intended to strengthen Kuwait’s maritime capacity and its connection to regional trade corridors, revived after years of delay and positioned within Kuwait Vision 2035 as a northern counterpoint to Iraq’s planned Development Road (Grand Faw Port) project.
Overview
Infrastructure is a decision about the future.
Purpose
The project aims to add port and logistics capacity in northern Kuwait, support trade diversification and anchor wider development around Boubyan Island.
History
The port project stalled for years before its contract was revived. A Chinese state-owned construction company was signed to the project in February 2024, and on-the-ground field work began in March 2025. Kuwait Times reported one year after the project's revival that field work was underway, describing the port as part of the Kuwait Vision 2035 development plan and as a strategic answer to Iraq's competing Development Road project. Kuwait's Minister of Public Works has publicly described completion of the port as a top strategic priority.
Why it matters
Its location gives the project strategic significance for shipping, logistics and the long-term ambition to connect northern Kuwait with wider regional markets, and is viewed by officials as a strategic counterweight to Iraq's rival Development Road corridor.
Setting
Boubyan Island
Sector
Port & logistics
Contractor signed
February 2024
Field work began
March 2025
Timeline
From proposal to public life
Northern port planning
Boubyan Island is identified as a strategic setting for new maritime infrastructure.
Early works, then delay
Initial marine and landside elements establish the project footprint before progress stalls.
Contractor signed
A Chinese state-owned construction company is contracted to revive the project.
Field work begins
On-the-ground construction activity resumes on Boubyan Island.
One year of field work
Kuwait Times reports continued field work and frames the port as a strategic priority within Vision 2035, positioned against Iraq's Development Road project.
Project gallery
Three ways to read the project
Official record