KPT to close bids for cargo handling contract on April 23

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) would close the tender inviting bids for cargo handling at two berths in Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) on April 23.

The port authority wants to engage a new cargo handling firm following the exit of Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT) in November 2012.

This is the second time that the port is inviting bids from players as bids offered in the first tender was too high for the port to accept.

This time the port expects a better response from bidders as it feels the situation has improved. Earlier, when the bids were called for the first time, the situation was volatile and there was a question
mark on the industrial relation. It has has improved since then, the port said. The port trust has not changed the terms of the tender.

The port authority would not guarantee a minimum cargo this time too but insists the operators must install three cranes in each berth.

TataÂ’s port logistics firm TMILL was the lowest bidder for the previous tender, quoting Rs 247 per tonne on an average for the two berths. JM Baxi was the second-lowest bidder at Rs 259 per tonne.

The rates were too high for the KoPT as it is not allowed to recover more than Rs 227 from users, according to the guidelines of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports. HBT used to charge Rs 75 per tonne.