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The Panama
Canal Authority (ACP) released its Request for Proposal
(RFP) Friday on the “design-build” contract for the new
locks under the Canal’s Expansion Program. Four global
consortia will now move forward with their bids on what will
be the largest and most important project under the $5.25
billion expansion.
The Expansion Program will build a new lane of traffic along
the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of
locks, doubling capacity and allowing more traffic and
longer, wider ships.
The ACP will meet with consortia representatives in February
2008 regarding the content of the RFP for the construction
of the new set of locks. Proposals are due August 2008. The
ACP will evaluate bids based on the best value concept, with
emphasis on technical components (60 percent) and price (40
percent). Following a thorough review, the ACP expects to
award the contract in December 2008.
“Releasing the RFP for the new locks is a major step forward
in the creation of the new lane, as it is the most
significant contract in the Expansion Program. We have some
of the world’s most reputable and skilled contractors
competing for the opportunity to take part in this prominent
project. We’re highly confident in their ability and we’re
looking forward to receiving their proposals in the third
quarter of next year,” said ACP Executive Vice President of
Engineering and Program Management Jorge L. Quijano.
The winner of this contract will design and build two locks
complexes, which include water-saving basins. The consortia
in the running for the contract include: Consorcio C.A.N.A.L.;
Consorcio Atlántico-Pacífico de Panamá; Consortia Bechtel,
Taisei, Mitsubishi Corporation; and Consorcio Grupo Unidos
por el Canal.
The qualifying process for interested consortia began August
27, 2007, when the ACP released a Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) for the construction of the new set of locks. On
November 15, 2007, four consortia, composed of 30 companies
from 13 countries, submitted Statements of Qualifications.
Based on a pass-fail evaluation of criteria and
capabilities, the ACP certified on December 14, 2007, that
each of those consortia qualified to receive and respond to
the RFP.
The new Pacific locks will be located to the southwest side
of the Miraflores Locks. The new Atlantic locks will be
located to the east of Gatun Locks. Each set of locks will
have three levels, also called chambers, and will rely on
gravity to operate. Each lock chamber will be accompanied by
three water-saving basins, allowing the reutilization of 60
percent of the water in each transit. For an animated
simulation of the new locks, please visit:
Canal Project |
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Hundreds of comments
have been filed in response to proposed rule-making that would
require foreign-flag cruise ships sailing round-trip from U.S. ports
to make 48-hour calls in foreign destinations and devote at least
half of the port content to non-U.S. destinations.
Senators, Governors
and Representatives, mayors, maritime unions, travel agents, tour
operators, port directors, as well as CLIA, individual brands and
suppliers are among those who submitted comments.
With the 30-day comment period closed, Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) is now reviewing the input before moving ahead with a final
interpretive rule and effective date.
Many comments voiced alarm at the potentially sweeping impact of the
proposed rule-making. Though targeted at Hawaii cruises from the
U.S. West Coast that make only cursory stops in foreign ports like
Ensenada, the interpretation as written could impact virtually all
foreign-flag cruises from the U.S.
It seems unlikely, however, that CBP had such wide-ranging
intentions given that Hawaii is the only market where there are
ocean-going U.S.-flag interests to protect. The rule-making springs
from the U.S. Maritime Administration’s concerns about NCL America
withdrawing a ship from Hawaii service due to competition from
foreign-flag lines.
Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line could itself be hurt if CBP
enforces the proposed rules on Seattle-based ships, for example.
NCL America’s own comment to CBP focuses on Hawaii. ‘Customs should
clarify that the proposed interpretation is limited to vessels
operating in the Hawaii trades and adopt reasonable measures to
ensure sufficient foreign content,’ the line wrote.
A letter from MARAD administrator Sean Connaughton urging CBP to
promptly adopt the rule-making similarly addresses Hawaii solely.
Under current law, NCL America is limited to Hawaii and may not
operate in other regions.
Further comments asking CBP to defend the U.S. registry and American
jobs were from Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, a key force behind the
legislation that allowed NCL America to reflag foreign-built ships
for Hawaii service. Inouye and three fellow Hawaii lawmakers told
CBP: ‘Our nation’s cabotage laws are vitally important to our
economic and national security.’
In her own letter, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle asked for a ‘balanced’
approach, pointing to a loss of $80m in direct spending on state
goods and services if all international ships withdraw. She
encouraged CBP to balance the protection of U.S.-flag ships while
continuing to allow foreign cruise ships to visit, urging no minimum
port-of-call time at international destinations and no mandated
percentage of stops that would affect Hawaii calls.
In a strongly worded letter, the Seafarers International Union
called for CBP not only to enforce the new rule-making but to go
further by imposing penalties for past violations of the Passenger
Vessel Services Act. The union suggested CBP refer the matter to the
Internal Revenue Service ‘for consideration of any tax obligations
due by the foreign-flag operators as a result of engaging in
domestic voyages.’
For its part, Royal Caribbean International characterized the
agency’s proposed requirements including 48-hour calls in foreign
ports as ‘arbitrary’ and ‘capricious.’ The line also cited 1992 and
1997 rulings that condoned brief service calls to comply with PVSA.
Royal Caribbean noted that it extended Ensenada calls after
receiving an August letter from CBP voicing concern that Hawaii
cruises with short foreign-port stops were violating cabotage. RCI
also challenged NCL America’s assertion that the main reason it is
withdrawing a ship from U.S. registry is due to foreign competition.
The matter is now in CBP’s hands. If the agency hones the
rule-making to apply specifically to Hawaii, there could still be
dramatic changes for foreign-flag operators to the 50th state.
Depending on the effective date, sailings that typically operate on
the shoulder of the Alaska season, which starts in May, might be
affected.
Also critical will be whether CBP retains its proposal to require
48-hour stays in foreign ports and at least 50% foreign port
content.
For full explanation
on the Jones Act, Cabotage and all related information visit this
site -
cabotage. |
These glass panels were
recently rescued from the shipbreakers when the HARMONY (ex
STATENDAM) was scrapped at Alang. Signed by artist D Ten Hoedt/Amsterdam,
they have endured fifty years of Atlantic crossings, worldwide
cruising, and shipping in a container from India to California.
They have been consigned to X21 Modern of San Francisco who did
a fantastic job of restoring their original luster. Sadly,
although they have been offered to Holland America for "cost",
there is no interest in returning them to sea on a newbuild
despite their historic connection and vintage beauty. For more
information on these panels, please visit
www.midshipcentury.com or
www.x21modern.com.
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