Cochin Port Trust (CPT), a government of India establishment, has issued a tender process by launching a request for qualification (RFQ) for the modernization of coal handling facility though a PPP project.

The project will be developed on a design, build, finance, operation and transfer basis. The new terminal will have a capacity to handle 4.23 metric tonnes per annum.

The total project investment is estimated at Rs1,980 million (US$32.5 million). The applicant shall have a minimum net worth of Rs495 million (US$8.1 million) at the close of the preceding financial year.

Interested parties must submit their qualification documents on or before 16 September 2014.

Cochin Port is a major port on the Arabian sea, Indian ocean sea-route and is one of the largest ports in India. The port lies on two islands in the Lake of Kochi: Willingdon island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Kochi river mouth opening onto the Arabian sea. Currently, the port handles only about 1,000 tonnes of coal on an average per year.

Early this year CPT received approval to set up a coal terminal. Only Adani group responded to the tender notice issued by the CPT even after the deadline was extended twice. It seems that a new tender process have been launched though.

See RFQ: http://www.cochinport.com/index.php?opt=tenders&cat=ct&id=486