Five major port operating companies/consortia have responded to the global tender floated by Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) calling for Requests for Qualification (RFQ) to build the port superstructure and operate the proposed deepwater container transhipment port at Vizhinjam, near here.

EPC

These entities have also responded to the port’s RFQ tender for engineering, procurement and construction works, which was floated separately by the VISL.

The time for responses to the first tender (building the port superstructure and operating the port) ended on Monday, while the responses to the second tender will be accepted till June 30.

The VISL had indicated its desire for the same entity taking up the responsibilities indicated under both RFQ tenders to avoid laxity on the part of the EPC contractor, if any, during the construction stage, upsetting the plans of the entity taking up the responsibility of building the port superstructure and operating the project, or vice versa.

The entities that had submitted RFQs for building the port superstructure and operating the port are: Gammon Infrastructure Projects, Hyundai-Concast, Essar Ports, Adani Ports and a consortium of SREI and OHL.

An official at the VISL said the RFQs would be examined by the port’s technical and legal consultants and their reports placed before an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary. The entities, found to have met the qualification parameters, would then be asked to submit their proposals.

Cost

The indicated cost of that portion of the project, involving construction of the port superstructure and operating the port, is Rs.4,000 crore and that involving the EPC contract, Rs.1,250 crore.

Source: The Hindu