Infrastructure and renovation works worth around QAR 2 billion will start at Doha Port in the second quarter of 2017, the Gulf Times reported on Monday.

The works will include dredging the area around the port to make it accessible to larger vessels, in addition to maintenance, according to the Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti.

During the work on Doha Port, maritime traffic will be redirected to the new and larger Hamad Port, south of Doha. The Ministry of Transport and Communications had recently announced that cargo operations would move from Doha Port to Hamad Port.

Earlier statements by the Qatar Tourism Authority suggest that the authorities plan to develop Doha Port into the main hub for the arrival of cruise ships, re-purposing it as a main entry port for tourism.