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Hutchison Ports lead race to operate Australian port’s AUS$1.2 billion container terminal
Australia’s Port of Melbourne has released a shortlist of the four bidders vying to operate the new AUS$1.2 billion container terminal at Webb Dock East.
Hutchison Ports, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, is being seen as the stand out candidate for the proposed third terminal, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, with the other contenders including Qube Holdings, a joint venture between International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and Anglo Ports, and a Macquarie-backed consortium comprising of French firm CMA CGM and ANL.
“The shortlisted bidders will soon be issued with the corporation’s ‘Request for Proposals’ specifications and will prepare their detailed submissions along with furnishing the required financial guarantees, which will enable their bid to be considered,” Stephen Bradford Port of Melbourne Corporation CEO said in a statement.
“In evaluating the bids, we are seeking innovation to deliver higher levels of operational efficiency alongside the requirements to operate a growing port in the middle of one of the nation’s largest cities.”
“Importantly, we are also seeking commercial returns that are in line with the significance of this rare opportunity,” added Bradford.
The proposed terminal will boast an annual capacity of one million TEU, and is scheduled to begin operations towards the end of 2016. An announcement on the successful bid is expected early next year.