September 06, 2008

7 firms short listed for feasibility study on deep sea port in WB

It is reported that union shipping ministry has invited request for proposals from international engineering consulting players to conduct the techno economic feasibility study for constructing the deep seaport in West Bengal. These firms, which have technically qualified for the job, would have to submit their proposals to the ministry by mid September 2007.

The list includes Louise Berger Group, Moffatt & Nichols, Royal Haskings, Sandwell Engineering, Mouchel Parkman, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick and the UK based CGR.

The consultant has to identify a suitable location after taking into consideration various factors such as availability of draft, various marine, meteorological, hydrographic, morphological, hydrological, geo technical, topographical and other parameters, dredging requirement and hinterland connectivity by rail and road. It also has to calculate traffic projections for 20 years after assessing the market potential, profiles of types of ships likely to call at the port depending on the types of cargoes to be handled, environmental analysis, particularly relating to hazardous cargo and pollution control measures among others.