ICTSI may bid for Sasa port if …

The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ITCSI) may reconsider its earlier position to participate in the proposed modernization, operation and maintenance of the Davao Sasa port after finding the P17 billion floor price too high considering other ports are operating in the area.

ICTSI vice president Christian Gonzalez said the company joining the bidding would be dependent on government reconsidering the floor price.

“We are reconsidering the required investment amount. If that is reconsidered we’ll look at it again. If the numbers are reasonable, there is a possibility we will participate,” said Gonzales.

“We understand the market. We knew very clearly that P17 billion was not going to fly with all the private port operators including ourselves,” he added.

He explained that ICTSI had been consulted and been involved by the government “to some degree from the very beginning” because the company has an active contract in Sasa. Likewise, ICTSI has an advantage if it so chooses to join the bidding.

“From my understanding of the requirements, obviously we would qualify. We are one of the leading container terminal operators in the world,” he said.

The project entails building a new apron and linear quay, expanding the back-up area, container yards and warehouses, and installing ship-to-shore cranes and rubber-tired gantry.

Overseas, ICTSI is also looking to expand as it is keen “on bidding for the new terminal in Mombasa,” said Gonzales. “We are actively participating in an open process in Cameroon. We are proceeding with our projects in Nigeria and Congo.”

ICTSI is also aiming for various African ports, but “Kenya is the only one that is imminent,” he said.

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