SHIPPING

Map Ta Phut bidders sought

YUTHANA PRAIWAN

Private companies will be allowed to expand the commercial deep seaport at Map Ta Phut in Rayong to serve growing demand from Eastern Seaboard industries, according to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). A study by the state agency has recommended that companies be invited to bid for construction and operating contracts, with winners chosen based on the best returns offered to the IEAT.

According to the study, the expansion would cost more than one billion baht _ beyond the capability of the IEAT _ including land reclamation.

Any project worth more than one billion baht and involving a venture between a state agency and a private company is subject to the 1992 Joint Public-Private Investment Law, and the selection of the private operator must be transparent.

Initially, the IEAT contacted Thai Prosperity Terminal, the existing operator of the agency's Map Ta Phut seaport, and Thai Tank Terminal, a PTT Plc affiliate that operates related facilities, to take part in the bidding, which is expected to be called next month.

Uthai Chantima, the IEAT governor, said the expanded port would have two deep-water berths for general and liquid cargo, with a quay length of 500 metres.

Eight seaport facilities are currently operating in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, mostly run by companies to serve their own businesses including petroleum, petrochemicals and steel products.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 28, 2007