The deadline for submitting bids for the tender of the construction of private ports at Haifa and Ashdod has been postponed at the last moment from January 15 to February 17.
The Israel Ports Development & Assets Company Ltd. has announced that the deadline for technical bids was postponed by one month at the bidders' request and is now in February, and the deadline financial bids will be in May.
The new ports are part of an Israeli plan to cut the government's role in the economy, give more influence to the private sector and bring down labor costs.
Seven local and foreign companies passed the tender's prequalification stage - Ashtrom Properties Ltd. part of the Ashtrom Group, a leading privately owned construction and development company,Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering Ltd., a private company a leader in construction, development and infrastructures, Shikun & Binui Holdings Ltd. of the Arison Group, a leading infrastructure and real estate group, with proven achievements in infrastructure, financing and operating huge projects in transportation, infrastructure, environment, energy, water treatment and desalination.
The tenders for building the Haifa Bay Port - HaMifratz Port and the South Ashdod Port (Southport terminal) total NIS 8 billion.
The Haifa Bay Port terminal is being designed to handle 18,000 TEU Triple E-class vessels with a water depth of 17.3m and will feature a primary 1,050-1,100m long quay, breakwater extensions and lee breakwaters of differing lengths.
