State Extends Bids' Deadline For Dighi Port Privatisation

According to a Sicom official, The extension has been granted following requests from several prospective bidders. They wanted more time to conduct techno-economic feasibility studies.

Sicom is the nodal agency for the implementation of the port policy in Maharashtra.

The state government had floated a tender in July for the construction of a port handling liquid cargo, on a build-own-operate and transfer basis. 38 companies including Larsen & Toubro, Ashok Leyland, Essar Oil, Great Eastern Shipping, ABG Heavy Industries and BPCL purchased the bid document.

Essar Oil is taking a long term view and its interest in the port is linked to the Ratna R-Series of oilfields. BPCL is exploring the prospect of tying up with another company which has experience in port management

 

Patvolk, a leading shipping agency and part of the Tata group, has also evinced interest.

ABG Heavy Industries is emerging as a major bidder for various port projects. It has also bid for the construction of container berths at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

After Alewadi, Dighi is the second minor port for which a tender has been floated by the Maharashtra government for privatisation.

The last date for submission of bids for Alewadi too, was extended from August 20 to October 31.table>