Ocean cargo/global logistics: Panama Canal Authority may soon move on new locks
Patrick Burnson -- Executive Editor -- Logistics Management, 7/9/2009
PANAMA CITY—The consortia picked to lead further expansion of the canal was named yesterday, bringing the project one step closer to completion.
After months of rigorous technical review, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) determined the “best value” proposal for the new set of locks expansion contract. Consortium Grupo Unidos por el Canal composed of Sacyr Vallehermoso S.A., Impregilo S.p.A., Jan De Nul n.v. and Constructora Urbana, S.A. garnered the highest total points for its combined technical and price scores. Three world-renowned consortia competed to win the largest and most important contract under the Canal’s Expansion Program.
In an interview with LM, ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta noted that this event was “historic.”
“We are now very close to knowing who will indeed design and build the waterway’s new locks. I take my hat off to all of the consortia.”
In a public ceremony, the ACP first presented the scores obtained from the technical evaluations and opened the price proposals submitted by all three consortia. Displayed on large video screens for the audience to view, the ACP opened the sealed price proposals and revealed the technical scores – all done in the presence of a Public Notary and the ACP’s outside auditing firm. The ACP then calculated a final weighted score – constituting 55 percent for the technical proposal and 45 percent for the price submission – live and on-screen.
The points for the price proposal and technical evaluation from each consortium were then combined and the highest total score became the “best value” offer.
The base price of $3,118,880,001.00 submitted by Grupo Unidos por el Canal does not exceed the ACP’s owner’s allocated price of $3,481,000,000.00.
“With an expanded Canal, Panama and the ACP ensure the world that a key maritime commerce hub will continue to meet shippers’ needs,” said Alemán Zubieta.
He told LM that the new set of locks will double the Canal’s capacity and create a new lane of traffic, enhancing the waterway’s ability to provide safe, reliable and efficient service.
“Expansion will help tighten the global supply chain, allowing businesses to bring goods to market more quickly, an important advantage as the global economy recovers,” he added. “With its scheduled opening in 2014, the new locks will particularly help to drive long-term international trade growth.”
The ACP contracting officer will proceed to verify the contractor’s qualifications pursuant to the established ACP contracting regulations prior to awarding the contract. The ACP expects to award the contract in the next few days and will formally announce the winner
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