The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) may award a fresh container handling contract to ABG Ports Pvt Ltd.
The development comes weeks after the company exited operations from Haldia port citing lawlessness.
ABG operates at Kolkata port through ABG Kolkata Container Terminal, a joint-venture between ABG Infralogistics and Singapore-based PSA International.
“ABG Ports, jointly with ABG Kolkata Container Terminal, has emerged as the lowest bidder for handling container at berth No.5 at the Netaji Subhas Dock (NSD) at Kolkata port. We will take a final decision at the board meeting on November 29,” a senior KoPT official said.
Mumbai-based ABG Ports and ABG Kolkata Container Terminal Pvt Ltd have jointly bid the lowest rate of nearly Rs 1,500 for handling “a 20-feet container” in one of the berths (No 5) at Netaji Subhas Dock at Kolkata port. The port authorities would take a final call on November 29 in this regard.
According to him, Kolkata-headquartered T P Roy Chowdhury and Co Pvt Ltd has qualified as the second bidder. The company quoted around Rs 2,200 for the same operations.
Earlier this month, KoPT had warned of blacklisting ABG and its group companies following their decision to “forcefully terminating” cargo handling operations at Haldia.