The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is speeding the bidding process and set to award the concession agreement with the winning bidder for the Map Ta Phut LNG Port Expansion project in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor development plan by June 4.

The THB55.4 billion (US$ 1.69 billion) project will be awarded to the only bidder that met all qualification criteria for the megaproject, a consortium led by PTT and Gulf Energy Development. 18 companies had bought the bidding envelopes but only one consortium has submitted the documents. 

The project will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme with 30-years concession contract. 

Map Ta Phut port is one of five megaprojects under the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme. The Map Ta Phut seaport Phase III will be implemented in two periods of development.

The first period includes the construction of the megastructure, dredging of the watercourses and basin for vessels, development of wave embankments, installations of maritime infrastructure and construction of ship wharves. This phase of the project is expected to begin its operation by 2025 that will accommodate up to 10 million tonnes of petroleum gas shipments per year.

The second period includes additional development of the seaport's superstructure - dockyards and back areas, it is expected to commence operation by 2025 that will serve liquid gas shipments of up to 4 million tonnes per year. IEAT will issue terms of reference to seek more bidders for this part of the project.