KoPT may award contract for Haldia berths 2 and 8 by Feb

The re-tendering of berths 2 and 8 at Haldia docks for cargo handling after the exit of ABG-LDA promoted Haldia Bulk Terminals, has received lukewarm response, but the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) expects to award the contract by February.

“We have finally received three bids from three logistics companies and are evaluating them for mechanised dry bulk cargo handling operations at berths 2 and 8,” a senior KoPT official told PTI.

“We hope to complete the process by February,” he said.

The companies are TM International Logistics Ltd (TMILL), Boxtrans Logistics (India) Services and a consortium of Singapore-based Ocean Connection Pte Ltd and Seapol Group of India.

Initially, eight companies had expressed interest in the fresh tender after the previous contractor failed to meet its obligations.

But as the fresh tender was on same terms and conditions that it was awarded earlier, a few companies backed out.

HBT had won the contract with an average rate close to Rs 75 a tonne.

HBT after securing the contract in 2009, exited in October 2012 citing law and order issues that resulted in job loss for 650 people.

KoPT had said it would approach the appropriate authorities to claim losses from HBT if the winning bidder rates are higher than that of the failed contractor. As per the tender document, the successful bidder will have to supply, install, operate and maintain cargo handling equipment, including mobile harbour cranes for seven years.