In another one month, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) plans to award the contract for mechanised dry bulk cargo handling operations at berths 2 and 8 of Haldia docks to new concessionaires.
The port authority is in the process of re-tendering the contract after the exit of ABG-LDA promoted Haldia Bulk Terminals. Reports, however, indicate that the authority has not received strong response from players for the contract.
Agency reports indicate that three logistics companies have submitted three bids which the port trust is evaluating.
The companies are TM International Logistics (TMILL), Boxtrans Logistics (India) Services and a consortium of Singapore-based Ocean Connection and Seapol Group of India.
Although eight companies expressed interest in the fresh tender some of them backed out as the fresh tender was on same terms and conditions that it was awarded earlier.
HBT had won the contract with an average rate close to Rs 75 a tonne. HBT after securing the contract in 2009, exited in October 2012 citing law and order issues that resulted in job loss for 650 people.
Meanwhile, the port authority plans to seek compensation from the HBT if the winning bidder rates are higher than that of the failed contractor. As per the tender document, the successful bidder will have to supply, install, operate and maintain cargo handling equipment, including mobile harbour cranes for seven years.
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