Virginia gives more time for alternative port bids

   The state of Virginia has decided to give companies that are interested putting forth alternatives to APM Terminal’s proposal to operate the terminals of the Virginia Port Authority in a public private partnership more time.
   APM Terminals submitted its proposal on May 23, and Virginia’s transportation secretary invited alternative proposals to be submitted by Thursday, July 12.
   On Wednesday, the Virginia Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships said it would give companies until 5 p.m., Aug. 13 to submit alternative plans. It said it will decide by the end of August whether to accept or reject those alternatives.
   As a result, 12 legislators who have formed a working group to advise Gov. Bob McDonnell about the proposed port takeover said they will now hold a hearing in August, after the proposal deadline, instead of next week as they had originally planned.
   An article about APM Terminal’s proposal is in this month’s issue of American Shipper. – Chris Dupin