DP World, PSA, Essar, Lanco and GVK are among the seven shortlisted entities for the US$1.44 billion fourth container terminal project of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), at Navi Mumbai, according to Business Standard.
The terminal is expected to add 57.6 million tonne capacity to the port.
This is the second time the terminal has been put up for bidding. The first round of bidding was cancelled by the shipping ministry, as the bid failed to attract enough participation. One of the interested parties, Gateway Terminals India (GTI), was disqualified from participating in the first bidding process due to “security reasons”, said a senior official in the shipping ministry.
“The Supreme Court has allowed us to go ahead with the project, as it would add substantial capacity to the port. Our final decision will be subject to the views of the court,” the official told Business Standard.
GTI is a joint venture (JV) between APM Terminals, which operates the third container terminal of JNPT, and government-controlled Container Corporation of India. The JV did not take part in the current round of bidding. GTI had contested the disqualification decision in the Bombay High Court. After losing the case, it appealed in the Supreme Court last year. The matter is still sub judice.
DP World operates the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal at JNPT. A total of nine companies participated in the bidding process.
The other six qualified entities are a consortium of GVK and Samsung Corporation, Essar group, Sterlite Industries and Leighton Contractors, Mundra Port and SEZ and Adani Enterprises, Lanco Infratech, and PSA and ABG Ports. Among those who did not qualify was L&T Transco Pvt Ltd.