STATE-RUN rail freight hauler Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) has launched a fresh tender to charter two containerships for a decade in order to realise its plans to offer coastal shipping services
STATE-RUN rail freight hauler Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) has launched a fresh tender to charter two containerships for a decade in order to realise its plans to offer coastal shipping services. Given that two previous attempts failed, the terms contained in this latest tender have been eased.
Concor has subsequently scrapped the age limit and flag restrictions from the new tender, which states that the selected contractor should deploy two seaworthy coastal ships capable of carrying up to 700 TEU with a maximum gross weight of 21,000 tonnes (cargo plus container weight), reported Chennai's Hindu daily.
The first tender had stipulated age limits of 12 years and 15 years for the ships, plus only Indian flagged vessels were allowed to participate in the tender. In the latest tender, foreign vessels can be deployed.
Concor has retained the exclusivity clause in the new tender to haul bulk/break-bulk cargo and loaded and empty containers between Deendayal Port Trust (formerly Kandla Port Trust) in Gujarat and New Mangalore Port Trust, Cochin Port Trust and V O Chidambaranar Port Trust.
The successful bidder will have to sign a non-compete agreement that prohibits the company from handling containerised cargo for other enterprises in Indian coastal waters. This has been a contentious issue. To work around this restriction, a ship operator can now create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and participate in the tender.
