The two groups bidding to build the so-called “Southport” container terminal are:
' A consortium comprising Delaware River Stevedores and Hyundai Merchant Marine America. DRS is a joint venture between Carrix Inc., and Ports America Group, the two largest independent U.S. terminal operating companies. DRS has stevedoring experience at several major U.S. ports, including the Port of Philadelphia.
' SMT Development Partners, principally comprising Spanish-based Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A., with support by worldwide port engineering firm CH2M Hill. OHL is responsible for many capital construction projects in the international port industry. The Judlau and Jay Cashman firms, representing construction and finance aspects of the proposal, are also components of this proposal.
Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services is administering the selection process. The state said the Southport project is the first major expansion of the Port of Philadelphia in 50 years. It is located to the south of the existing Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.
John H. Estey, chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, said the next step in the selection process for the two short-listed bidders to develop second phase submissions. The preferred bidder is to be announced in September and reach commercial close in November.
