THE NATIONAL Ports Authority will complete its review of final tenders for the development of a ship repair facility at the port of Richards Bay by year end. According to NPA general manager of marine services, Mvikeli Matatu, an earlier tender process had short listed tenderers (believed to be three) who were invited to submit final proposals. These have since been received and adjudication will be complete before the end of 2003, with a site handover feasible next year. Matatu said the extent and nature of the proposed facility would be determined by various factors, such as market analysis, an environmental impact assessment, feasibility study and participation by Black Economic Empowerment groups. The appointed bidder will be required to enter into a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) concession agreement with the NPA. The cost of developing a ship repair facility at Richards Bay was not yet available, he said. The on-off ship repair facility has simmered in the background since the mid 1990s when the local engineering company of Rowley Morgan first raised the proposal of building a dry dock at the port. After extensive negotiations with the company, the NPA cancelled further talks and called for additional proposals. Several analysts say they believe the enormous cost of a dry dock makes the idea unworkable, whereas having a large floating dock coupled with a lengthy repair quay could be just what is needed. More than 1600 ships used the port in 2001/2002 with thousands more passing the port every year
