Larsen & Toubro plans to team up with Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) to bid for the Rs.1,200 crore offshore container terminal of Mumbai Port Trust.

L&T will rope in HPH as the management contractor to handle terminal operations. HPH will hold a minimum 11 per cent equity stake in the special purpose vehicle to be floated to bid for this project.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Port has extended the deadline of finalizing the management contractor or consortium partner from 10 November 2005 to 21 November 2005.

Mumbai Port has shortlisted 11 players including L&T, HPH, Evergreen, Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines, P&O Ports Pvt Ltd, United Liner Agencies India Pvt Ltd, Gammon India, ABG Heavy Industries, Dubai Ports International, AP Moller Finance SA and Adani Exports. These bidders are now expected to submit their technical and financial bids.

According to the bidding norms, players not having prior experience of terminal-handling operations will have to appoint a management contractor or consortium partner before 21November 2005. The port is awaiting clearances for HPH and Evergreen from Government of India.

Mumbai Port has received security clearance for Dubai Ports International recently (See related news.)

United Liner Agencies India has teamed up with Germany's HHLA Container Terminal GmbH, while Gammon India has tied up with Dragados SPL of Italy in bidding for this project.

Also see:

MbPT offshore terminal: Dubai Ports allowed to bid (07-Nov-05)

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