The Government of Timor-Leste has announced that it has pre-qualified four firms to tender for the new port to be built at Tibar Bay through a public-private partnership model.

The four firm pre-qualified for the project are the following:

• International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI),
• Mota-Engil - Ambiente e Serviço, SGPS, S.A. (MEAS),
• The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (POSNCO) and
• Bolloré Africa Logistics (Bollore AL).

The project involves the design, construction, finance and operation for a period of 30 years of a 600 meter wharf along the western side of Tibar Bay, together with container storage, equipment and other infrastructure required by a modern cargo terminal.

The project cost is estimated to be around US$ 300-400 million.

IFC is advising the Government on implementation of the project. According to the sources, the Project Evaluation Team is very happy with the response. The four firms selected are reputable companies with considerable international experience.

The next stage in the tender will see the four firms issued with an invitation to submit proposals, bidder consultations, followed by submission of proposals and selection of the winning bidder.