The Hindu Business Line : Gantry cranes for Haldia dock — McNally Bharat emerges the lowest bidder?

McNALLY Bharat, which has tied up with Konecranes of Finland, is understood to have emerged as the lowest bidder for supplying two ship-to-shore gantry cranes for Haldia dock under Kolkata Port Trust.

The other bidders were Hyundai and Doosan, both from Korea, and Noel of Germany. The total cost of the two cranes is estimated at Rs 39 crore and the delivery time about 15 months from the date of placing the order.

The order, according to Haldia dock sources, will be placed as soon as the board of trustees of KoPT has approved the acquisition proposal. In all likelihood, the board will consider the proposal at its meeting due in the first week of next month.

Haldia dock authorities also plan to acquire four RTGs (rubber tyred gantries) to facilitate the operation of the ship-to-shore cranes. The tender for the RTGs, each estimated to cost Rs 8 crore, will be floated soon, it is learnt.

TM International Logistics Ltd, a joint venture between Martrade of Germany and Tata Steel, has firmed up acquisition of a mobile harbour crane to facilitate the operation at berth number 12 at Haldia dock. It might be noted that TMIL has acquired the berth from the dock authorities on long-term lease. According to informed sources, the equipment will be supplied by Liebherr of Germany and the cost is estimated at Rs 12 crore (excluding duty) and the delivery time will be about four months.

Meanwhile, KoPT has finalised Roadwing International as the lowest bidder for two mobile harbour cranes to be installed and operated by the firm on OO&M (own, operate and maintain) basis in berths 4 and 8 of Netaji Subhas Dock under the Kolkata Dock System. If everything goes on schedule, the cranes should be in place by May 31,2004. "This is a significant step towards privatisation of port operation as Roadwing being the lowest bidder will provide the services at the competitive rate," said a spokesman for the port.