India’s gas utility Gail India Ltd is about to issue a new tender for the construction of nine LNG carriers which is expected to facilitate the bidding process and remove hurdles that have prolonged the project.
“ The tender would be re-issued with changed norms,” a senior government official is quoted by Indian newspaper the Financial Express.
The previous tender has been scrapped after it failed to attract bidders.
The initial plan envisaged for the third of the newbuilds to be built locally so as to boost Indian shipbuilding capabilities.
However, it seems that this very precondition turned away international bidders as they were not that eager to share their technology with local builders.
In order for Gail to be able to start its import activities in 2017, the tender should be finalized and awarded by May in order for the company to be able to start transportation of LNG from USA to India.
Neverheless, the latest developments have raised concerns that the overall schedule might not be met.
World Maritime News Staff