KOCHI: Aimed at attracting foreign investment in the construction of an outer harbour, the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has initiated re-tendering process to conduct a feasibility study in the matter. The CPT had in January invited global tenders to conduct a feasibility study. Sources said that the decision to re-tender the project was taken with the aim of utilising foreign investment. The first tender documents had nothing in this regard. The tender documents were revised in such a manner that the agency which conducted the study should check the feasibility of utilising foreign investment too, they said. The project for an outer harbour was envisaged in view of the development activities at the port in the future. The western side of the LNG terminal is the area proposed for the harbour. An outer harbour will be developed in the sea by constructing breakwaters. Though the construction cost is higher, it has the advantage that further operational cost will not be needed, they said. “Since the outer harbour is located in the sea, there will be considerable savings in the amount spent for dredging to maintain the depth of the channels. It also makes navigation of the vessels easy,” the official said.By inviting global tender, the port management is looking for a consulting agency which has completed at least two assignments involving preparation of a master plan, feasibility report, detailed project report for developing a greenfield port or seaport terminals dealing with multiple cargo such as container, bulk, liquid and gas.According to the preliminary estimate, the approximate cost is around `2,640 crore.
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