The state-owned 2TDK in Slovenia has received 29 bids for the Koper-Divača Rail Line Track Doubling PPP project. In total, 15 teams submitted the bids. The project is divided into two lots. All but one of the 15 companies have submitted bids for both lots. Lot 1 Divača-Črni Kal received 15 applications. Lot 2 Črni Kal-Koper received 14 applications.

The project works involve the construction of a 27.1-km second track, of which 75% is eight tunnels. Two viaducts, two bridges and one gallery will be also constructed. The new track will be able to handle the capacity of 231 trains per day. Together with the existing line, the second track will allow an annual capacity of 43.4 million tonnes.

The following 15 bidders are:

• China State Construction Engineering Corp (China);
• Kolektor CPG (Slovenia) – Yapi Merkezi Insaat – Ozaltin Insaat (both from Turkey) consortium;
• Cengiz Insaat (Turkey);
• China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (China);
• China Communications Construction Company (China);
• Marti GmbH (Austria) – Marti Tunnel (Switzerland) – TuCon (Slovakia) consortium;
• IC Ictas Insaat (Turkey) – and Euro-Asfalt (Bosnia&Herzegovina) consortium;
• Gorenjska gradbena družba (Slovenia) – Metrostav (Czech Rep.) – CGP (Slovenia) consortium;
• Power Construction Corporation (China);
• Impresa Pizzarotti (Italy) – Acciona Construccion (Spain) – Makro 5 Gradnje (Slovenia) consortium;
• YDA Insaat – Unitek Insaat (Turkey) consortium;
• China Railway No. 9 Group Co (China);
• Swietelsky Tunnelbau (Austria);
• Strabag (Austria) – Ed. Zublin (Germany) – Gulermak (Turkey) consortium;
• China Gezhouba Group (China) – Ginex International (Slovenia) consortium.

The estimated investment for the project is EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.33 billion). Earlier this year European Investment Bank approved a loan of up to EUR 250 million (USD 277 million) for the project. Caixa Economica Federal (CEF) will provide a loan of EUR 109 million (USD 121 million).

The procedure for both public procurement contracts is two-stage. In the first phase, candidates´ competence will be evaluated, and in the second phase, the winner will be decided by the offered price. The project is expected to be completed in 2025, and the commercial operation will commence in 2026. The concession has 45-year term.