IPA COMMUNITY SYSTEM

The Indian Ports Association is backing the development of a centralised Web-based Port Community System.

Informed sources indicate that a major roadblock is the issue of Hutchison Port Holdings getting security clearance to bid for the project. The Cabinet Committee on Internal Security, which met in March to decide on the issue, referred the matter to the National Security Council who, in turn, requested an extension of the bid process to a date in May. Now, further delays in the bid process are anticipated while the security issue, and therefore Hutchison’s potential involvement in the project, continues to be mulled over.

It recently closed off a tender for the development of such a system which saw bids submitted for: “The tender for design, development/supply, installation, customisation, implementation and support of a centralised Web-based Port Community System.”