Sonatrach has shortlisted two candidates—Italy’s Saipem and a German firm previously announced by Sonarem—as part of its tender process for the Integrated Phosphate Project (IPP). Both companies will now conduct parallel Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, which will form the basis for selecting the final partner to undertake the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) works.
The IPP involves the development of a major industrial complex, including phosphate processing facilities at Bled El Hadba and Oued Keberit, the modernisation of Annaba port, and the construction of rail links to connect the mining sites to Algeria’s national railway network.
Sonatrach will evaluate the competing bids based on technical strength and economic competitiveness. The project, a joint initiative with Sonarem, is expected to extract 10 million tonnes of phosphate and produce up to 6 million tonnes of fertilizer annually—a transformative step for Algeria’s industrial and economic development.