The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat, recently received a single bid from PVT LTD, backed by Korea Maritime Consultants Co., Ltd. (Komac). This project aims to establish a private shipbuilding cluster with the capacity to construct 2,000 vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). However, the DPA did not disclose the financial details of the bid and plans to reissue the project with revised minimum qualifications for bidders.
Initially, the DPA set strict requirements, allowing only those with specific experience to participate without joint ventures or consortia. Although major South Korean shipbuilders expressed interest, they preferred to engage through partnerships rather than direct investments in Indian shipyards. Local bidders requested leniency on the qualification criteria, but the DPA maintained the original standards, causing further complications.
Ultimately, while the DPA allowed the formation of consortia late in the tendering process, no bids met the minimum experience requirements. The authority expressed discomfort with the sole proposal received, indicating that the Indian partner did not meet expectations. Thus, the DPA has decided to scrap the current tender and issue a revised offer.
