Kuwait, China sign maritime deals, review Mubarak Port progress

KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan conducted a site visit on Thursday to the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port Project on Boubyan Island, accompanied by Chinese Deputy Minister of Transport Fu Xuyin. The visit also included Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Sameeh Hayat and Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jianwei.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Works explained that the visit was part of efforts to follow up on a contract for the study, design, and pre-construction services for the port—an agreement that officially launched on March 16, 2025. The port project is one of the key outcomes of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Kuwait and China in September 2023, marking the start of a series of future bilateral contracts. The current phase includes finalizing detailed designs and presenting a comprehensive plan for the port’s construction and operation.

Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Yousef Al-Sabah, Director General of the Coast Guard, and Deputy Minister Fu Xuyin pose for a photo after signing agreements in the field of ports and commercial maritime navigation in Kuwait on April 16, 2025.

The visit follows the signing of two major maritime cooperation agreements between Kuwait and China. On Wednesday, the General Directorate of the Coast Guard signed both a cooperation agreement in the field of ports and commercial maritime navigation and a memorandum of understanding on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates.

The agreements were signed by Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Ali Yousef Al-Sabah, Director General of the Coast Guard, and Deputy Minister Fu Xuyin on behalf of China. According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, Sheikh Mubarak received the Chinese delegation at Sabah Al-Ahmad Naval Base.

The ministry emphasized that these agreements reflect a shared commitment to enhancing joint maritime operations, strengthening strategic ties in this critical sector, and boosting overall bilateral cooperation. Discussions during the meeting also addressed improving coordination on maritime safety and security in support of mutual interests. The signing ceremony was attended by Ambassador Zhang Jianwei and senior officials from the Coast Guard. — KUNA