The Hindu Business Line : JNPT berth: Sept 8 last date for submitting RFQs

Kolkata, Aug 26 The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust authorities have set September 8 as the last date for submission of request for qualifications (RFQs) for the construction of a 330-metre berth to be located north of the present Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT).

The cost of constructing the berth is estimated at Rs 600 crore.

A total of 22 firms attended the pre-application meeting held in this regard early this month, according to port sources.

How many of them will respond to RFQs remains to be seen.

BOT basis

Inquiries reveal that it will be another year or so before the several formalities such as the short-listing of bidders, the security clearance for foreign bidders and the final selection and other things can be completed and the order can be issued to the selected bidder for the construction of the berth on BOT basis.

The construction, it is estimated, will take about two years.

Meanwhile, the JNPT’s proposal for having a fourth terminal constructed on BOT basis is awaiting approval of the Government.

“The RFQs are pending with the Government”, add port sources.

Right now, the port has three berths of different lengths, 600 metres, 650 metres and 780 metres and two of these berths, NSICT and GTI, are operated by DP World and a joint venture between Maersk Line and Container Corporation of India respectively.

Consultant

The JNPT authorities, as the sources point out, are mulling appointing a consultant to have a report prepared on the formation of rock in the waters adjacent to the berths as a prelude to undertaking dredging so critical for handling large capacity container vessels.

The earlier effort in this regard did not succeed as the lowest bid was 38 per cent above the cost estimate of Rs 800 crore, it is learnt.