Braswell Shipyard Tender

The main disagreement expressed by local businesses is the requirement for prospective licensees to have between 20 and 40 years of experience in managing similar projects, which would leave them out of competition. "The Marine Engineers Corporation (Panama) Inc. (MEC group), one of the companies interested in participating in the tender, filed the first complaint on 16th January. Attorney Julio Cesar Espinosa, who works for the company, said in the complaint that 'in the Republic of Panama and the Central America area there aren't any private company that fulfils these requirements", when referring to the range of between 20 and 40 years of experience required in the tender specifications. It Indicates that that they are looking for the successful proponents to have the administrative, operational and specialized capacity, but ‘this high expectation reduces regional competition and does not recognizes the achievements of national shipyards who have been in existence for more than 10 years, a significant period of experience'. "

One of the questions already answered by the AMP relates to the concession not including "Maritime Rights", which corresponds to the Panama Canal Authority.

"It is believed that an investment of at least $5 million is needed to reach full capacity on the three dry docks located at the shipyard. In addition, $3 million must be invested in groundworks, operation and management of the shipyard in general. This gives a total of $8 million as a minimum investment required by the company making the offer. "

Source: Prensa.com

More on this topic

More Complaints Over Balboa Shipyard Tender

March 2012

Talleres Dry Docks, one of the four bidders, argues that the bid put forward by Astipac, the likely winner, should be rejected for not meeting the required deposit amount.

The Public Procurement Directorate (DGCP in Spanish) has received a second appeal by another participant in the tender for the Balboa shipyard, formerly known as Braswell Shipyard.

The Candidates for Operating Braswell Shipyard

November 2011

The specifications of the tender for the operation of the shipyard are awaited with anticipation by various local and international companies.

Two companies in Panama (Indutriales Workshops and MEC Group), one Greek and one from the United States have indicated their interest in participating in the process.

Shipyard Concession Tender in Panama

September 2011

The Panamanian government has decided not to grant an extension to the concession sought by the Spanish company Braswell, and is preparing to put out a tender in order to select a new concessionaire.

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP in Spanish), is working on the specifications for the tender to choose a new concessionaire to manage the shipyard, the only one on the Pacific side of the American continent which has three dams, one of which is to able to attend to ships that meet panamax size requirements.

Public Bidding for Panama Dockyard in 2011

September 2009

The Maritime Authority decided to invite bids for the dockyard concession currently operated by Braswell Shipyard.

Roberto Linares, from the Maritime Authority stated that, with the public bidding process, every interested company will have a chance to participate.

Braswell Shipyard, the current operator, had requested to "remain on the Pacific coastline of the Panama Canal for 20 additional years, committing to $40 million in investments", reports Prensa.com.