The Ennore Port’s revival plan to develop a container terminal has attracted 11 companies, including multinationals such as Port of Singapore Authority, DP World and APM Terminals.

Larsen & Toubro, which on Wednesday inaugurated its container terminal at the neighbouring Katupalli port, has also responded to the port’s expression of interest (EoI) from prospective bidders.

Ennore Port Ltd (EPL) had earlier selected container terminal operator, Bay of Bengal Container Terminal consortium, which was terminated in October over delay in finalising funds.

According to sources in EPL, bidders should plan for a quay length of over 700 m, but constructed in phases. In the earlier instance, the port went for a 1,000 m container terminal. However, considering the slowdown in the global economy, the companies felt that the development should be in phases. The next step will be to issue a Request for Qualification for the project.

EPL plans to develop terminals that can accommodate ships with a capacity of at least 8,000 twenty foot equivalent unit (TEU) and 14,000 TEU in future.

The development and operation of the terminal will be through the PPP model on BOT basis for a concession period of 30 years according to the Model Concession Agreement /Government of India Guidelines.

raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in

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