CHELSEA Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. has been awarded original proponent status on its unsolicited P11.2-billion bid to modernize Davao City’s Sasa Port.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday, the group, controlled by Dennis A. Uy, said it was declared an original proponent by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Aug. 19, giving it the option to match competing bids in a Swiss challenge.

“We thank the PPA and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) for working closely with us in finalizing the requirements and design of this huge project,” Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy, president and chief executive officer of Chelsea, said in the statement.

Chelsea submitted to the PPA last year its proposal to rehabilitate Sasa port over a 25-year concession period. The modernization will run over four phases and will include the upgrade of port facilities and installation of modern equipment such as cargo-handling cranes.

The PPA will now turn over the proposal to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for further evaluation.

Once NEDA gives its go-ahead for the project, the proposal will be subjected to a Swiss challenge, in which other companies will be invited to submit counteroffers.

“Chelsea has been given the opportunity to further upgrade the supply chain management landscape of the country. We hope that through this port modernization, our mantra of ‘Better Shipping, Better Logistics, Better Life’ will redound to the rest of the region,” Mr. Damuy said.

The DoTr has said it wants to upgrade more ports to improve inter-island trade and passenger connectivity.

Aside from Chelsea’s, two other unsolicited proposals from private firms are with the PPA: an P8.7-billion pitch from International Container Terminal Services, Inc. to develop the Iloilo Port Complex and the Port of Dumangas; and one from Davao-based private terminal operator Kudos Trucking Corp. to rehabilitate the Port of General Santos. — Denise A. Valdez

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