The Ennore Port Ltd. (EPL) has launched a new Request for Qualification (RFQ) process for creating a mega container terminal at Ennore.

EPL mega container terminal will be constructed in two phases on build, operate and transfer model involving public-private partnership for a concession period of 30 years. The first phase costing over Rs.1,270 crore (US$220 million) will have a capacity to handle 1.4 million tonnes of twenty-foot equivalent units of containers, with a jetty length of over 730 meters.

The deadline for submissions of responses to the RFQ is 12 July 2013. A shortlist is announced for 15 days after the responses are submitted.

Based on the feedback provided by 11 firms in the EoI stage, some parameters have been changed after the previous concessionaire failed to carry out the project.

"About 11 firms took part in the EoI process. They, along with others, can take part in the RFQ. Later, the qualified bidders will be asked to submit Request for Proposal. We have made some material changes in the project with regard to quay length, capacity and cost to make it attractive. The project would be awarded by December," said a top official.

In October 2012, the lone bidder for the project, Bay of Bengal Terminal Consortium, withdrew from the project citing a delay in finalising funds, causing a temporary setback for EPL just like the Chennai Port Trust that was also facing problem on mega container terminal front. The consortium, made up of Spain's Grup TCB (26%), Eredene Capital (22%), Obrascon Huarte Lain SA and Lanco Infratech Ltd, was awarded a 30-year BOT concession to build and operate the terminal at India's first corporatised port in August 2010.