Lack of Bidders Halts VOC Port's ₹7,056 Cr Outer Harbour Project Again.

The VOC Port Authority's ambitious ₹7,056 crore outer harbour project has hit another major roadblock, with its tender being called off for the second time due to a failure to attract any qualified bidders. Sources indicate the tender has been removed from the list of available bids, and a restructuring of the project may be considered.

This marks the second attempt to get the mega project off the ground. In December 2024, the VOC Port Authority in Thoothukudi had re-tendered the Request for Proposal (RFP) after the initial tender was canceled due to a dismal response. During the first round, only two entities—Vedanta and Premier Science and Technology—submitted applications, but both were subsequently disqualified.

For the second tender, the eligibility criteria were specifically modified to encourage broader participation from potential developers. Despite these adjustments, the project once again failed to garner the necessary interest from bidders.

The comprehensive project envisions significant development, including dredging and the construction of a breakwater on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. It aims to establish a substantial total handling capacity of 4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum, to be achieved in two distinct stages. The repeated setbacks raise questions about the future path for this critical infrastructure development at the VOC Port.