The Hindu Business Line : Level playing field sought for domestic dredging cos

The Indian Dredger Owners Association has objected to the pre-qualification criteria laid down by the major ports when they call for tenders to execute dredging works, on the ground they are tailor-made and are so stringent that no domestic dredging companies having Indian flag dredgers will be able to qualify.

While appreciating the spirit behind the Dredging Policy guidelines laid down by the Shipping Ministry, the association has written to the Ministry that the domestic dredging companies must be given fair opportunity to participate in dredging by ensuring that the major ports do not deviate from the policy guidelines.

Citing the example of the tenders floated by the Mumbai Port Trust recently for capital dredging work for the proposed projects I and II, the association pointed out that the conditions prescribed by the ports that the bidders shall own trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) are restrictive. It should be left to the bidders to charter or lease the dredgers, as even in the Sethusamudram ship channel work, chartered dredgers are working.

The stipulation in the tender that not more than two dredgers will be considered for computing minimum hopper capacity of 7,000 cu m is also uncalled for and it should be left to the bidders to offer two or more dredgers with 7000 cu m. capacity, the association said. It also suggested that the criterion regarding financial turnover be replaced by specifying the quantity of dredging work executed during the last three years considering that the Indian companies have started executing dredging works only recently.

Sources said that the Shipping Ministry had constituted a Committee of Chairpersons of major ports to study various aspects of dredging contracts and make suggestions for changes in the procedure to be followed in inviting tenders.

However the Ministry, without waiting for the recommendations of the committee, had announced the new Dredging Policy for a period of three years in 2007. The meeting convened in May 2007 to discuss suggestions regarding the new dredging policy was postponed.

The association has, therefore, represented that in the light of the suggestions, the policy guidelines may be reviewed, the sources added.

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