VICTORIA, Seychelles, The Ministry for Transport in collaboration with the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) is inviting contractors to submit their application for prequalification for the Port of Victoria rehabilitation and extension project. This was announced yesterday in a press conference led by Transport Minister, Antony Derjacques, at his headquarters at Botanical House, in the presence of SPA’s chief executive, Sony Payet; the chairman for SPA, Brian Loveday; deputy director-project management, Philippa Samson. The opening of the prequalification process marks a significant step in the long-planned upgrade of the country’s main commercial port.
The project entails the construction of a new deck on pile structure, approximately 310m long, and provision of a mooring and breasting dolphin, south-east of the existing quays at the Commercial Port in Port Victoria. The berth pocket and navigational area are to be deepened as part of the scope, allowing larger vessels to call at the port. The expected duration of the contract is 24 months, reflecting the scale of the marine works involved and the need to minimise disruption to ongoing port operations.
Minister Derjacques stated that the project is essential to ensure that Port Victoria can continue to serve the country’s trade and tourism needs in the decades ahead. He noted that the existing infrastructure has been in service for many years and requires significant investment to remain safe and efficient. The new berth and associated facilities are designed to handle the larger vessels that increasingly form the backbone of global container shipping.
Mr Loveday, the chairman of SPA, added that the project will be carried out in close coordination with port users to ensure that vessel calls are not disrupted. He noted that the SPA has been working on the design and tender documentation for several years, in consultation with international partners and local port operators. The prequalification process will identify contractors with the technical and financial capacity to deliver the project to the required standards.
Interested contractors will be required to demonstrate relevant experience in marine civil engineering, as well as the financial standing necessary to undertake a project of this scale. Applications will be evaluated by a committee comprising representatives of the ministry, SPA and independent technical experts. A shortlist of prequalified bidders will then be invited to submit detailed proposals, with the aim of awarding the contract before the end of the year. The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.
