The marine civil engineering specialist will infill the historic South Sheilds dock to create a new 125m long quay.
It is understood to have fended off national rivals Graham Construction and Balfour Beatty to take the project, which was originally estimated to cost up to £18m.
The planned riverside quay eastern extension, which will be 25m wide, will create enough berth space for Kamsarmax and Panamax bulk carriers and will support the operation of continuous ship unloaders.
The design by Fairhurst involves sealing the dock mouth to retain material within Tyne Dock and maintain water levels to promote settlement of material imported via land during infilling.
An element of dredging is needed to create a new berth pocket 260m long by 50m wide to a depth of 13m.
The dredge also includes widening the approach channel to the quay to 10 m CD over an area of 10,200 m².
