The Panama Canal Authority has published the tender documents for the design, construction and operation of a Container Terminal in Corozal.
The companies who will be taking part in the event are PSA International Ltd, Terminal Link, Terminal Investments Limited and APM Terminals, which will have until February 3, 2017 to submit their proposals.
Panama risks losing out to regional competition in the logistics area if the project to develop a cargo port in the area of Corozal continues to be hindered.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (CCIAP):
Expanding moorings in Gamboa on the Atlantic side, continuing construction of the third bridge over the canal, and building another on the mouth of the Chagres River are some of the works planned for 2017.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP by its initials in Spanish) will have a budget of $2.8 billion to manage in 2017, and among the projects which are to be completed is finishing"...
In order to take advantage of the connectivity offered by the Canal and its strategic location, the rules for logistics and port industries must be improved and modernized.
The infrastructure and technology is in place, but a better legal framework is needed in order to take advantage of the connectivity and advantages of the Canal and the location of Panama in the Latin American region.
The Panama Canal Authority plans to publish conditions for the tender in August, after participants have completed a pre qualification process and consultation period.
Today March 11th is the date of receipt of proposals from companies interested in the construction and concession of the port. In November , the ACP announced that eleven companies had expressed interest in the project. Now it is hoped there will be at least four proposals so that there is an adequate level of competition with which to proceed with the tender.
It is not only the port of Corozal which needs immediate promotion, there is also an urgent need to keep building port infrastructure in order to take advantage of the Canal expansion.
EDITORIAL
The opinion of entrepreneurs in the logistics sector is unanimous: the forthcoming opening of the new and expanded Panama Canal locks should be the starting point for consolidating Panama as a major logistics hub for the hemisphere.
The Panama Canal Authority expects to start in February the construction of a specialized Roll On-Roll Off cargo terminal in the Pacific, next to the planned container port in Corozal.
The purpose of a specialized rolling cargo terminal is to turn the area where it will be built into a center for redistribution of vehicles, machinery and heavy equipment to serve the local market and other Latin American countries.
The Panama Canal Authority has been given the green light to start the process of prequalifying companies interested in bidding for the award of a container transshipment port in Corozal.
From a statement issued by the Panama Canal Authority:
The Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has authorized the administration to convene a pre-qualification stage for companies interested in participating in the international tender for the concession of a container transshipment port in Corozal.
Companies interested in developing and operating the new Panamanian port will face stiff competition from Panama Ports Company, which has already prepared a plan and requested to receive the concession directly.
The operator of the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, which has repeatedly expressed opposition to the idea of building a container terminal in Corozal, now wants to be its developer and operator, and it has now submitted a proposal to the Panama Canal Authority to receive a direct concession of the land located in the area.
After the Assembly rejected the first bill, the Canal Authority has presented a second proposal for the concession of the development of the port.
Although the Assembly rejected the first proposal, it has been reported that the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has maintained contacts with companies interested in developing the project. One of them is APM Terminals, which although the announcement of the international tender is still being awaited, "...
Port of Singapore Authority plans to invest $400 million in its container terminal in Rodman, to increase capacity by two million TEU's and accommodate vessels carrying up to 24 rows of containers.
The construction of two additional docks and installation of eight gantry cranes is expected to allow for "... accommodating vessels with up to 24 rows of containers." With this project the aim is to expand port capacity at the Pacific entrance to the Canal.
Although it had been announced for April, the tender to build and operate the port could be delayed again because the Assembly did not approve a bill which gives tax breaks to the contractor.
Currently there are several companies that are waiting for the terms and conditions of the tender process, and the final resolution of the National Assembly on "... the law that provides parity in fiscal rights for Corozal with other operators. "
FAQs on the projected construction of a container transshipment port in the area of Corozal West of the Panama Canal.
Information taken from the Panama Canal Administration:
1. What benefits will come from the construction of a new port in Corozal West?
There are several benefits:
- The port will leverage the advantages of the Canal expansion bringing in more commercial activity.
The Panama Canal Authority plans to tender a logistics park and port for ships transporting vehicles and machinery, as well as a study for a logistics annex to the new Pacific locks.
It is expected that the proposals will be taken to the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in the first six months of the year for approval. These projects would be given in concession through tenders and the ACP would only invest in the dredging needed for the vehicle transporter port.
Dutch companies will be taking part in the competition for the concession of the container port planned by the ACP in the vicinity of the Port of Balboa.
Companies from the Netherlands have shown an interest in developing a new container port in Corozal in the 46 hectares belonging to the Panama Canal Authority, as confirmed by the Dutch ambassador to Panama, Jakob Wiebe de Boer.