News

PSDI supported a tender forum for prospective bidders for a Ports Authority of Tonga (PAT) stevedoring contract, held at the PAT headquarters in Nuku’alofa on 8 February. The forum was attended by six prospective bidders, senior Ports Authority management, and PSDI, which is providing transaction advice.  The forum provided an overview of the tender documents and bidding process and gave bidders the chance to seek clarification on the process. 

PSDI has provided ongoing support to this transaction, beginning with the 2017 Strategic Review for PAT which identified opportunities to increase port operating efficiency. 

The Strategic Review informed a Nov 2018 Cabinet decision to tender a concession contract for cargo handling services at the Queen Salote International Wharf.  A PPP Working Group was formed, with PSDI providing transaction advice, and a competitive tender was launched in 2019. The tender was paused at the request of Cabinet in late-2019. 

PSDI is now supporting a new competitive tender process, with tender documents released on 1 February 2021 and bids due on 29 March 2021. Once submissions are received, PSDI will support the PPP Working Group in bid evaluation, scoring and contract negotiations. The ten-year contract is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2022.

The PPP is intended to improve port operating efficiency, develop the Tongan stevedoring services sector, and reduce fiscal risks for the Port Authority.