Seatran wins port tender with 90m baht bid

PHUKET TOWN: Seatran Travel Co Ltd has won the tender to run the Rassada Port with a bid worth more than 90 million baht over the 30 years of the lease. The port is owned by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor). The decision was announced on Friday by the OrBorJor’s Deputy President, Wisut Santikun, who headed the committee examining bids. Tanan Tanphaibul, Managing Director of Seatran Travel, said, “We haven’t received official notification yet, but we have been informed that we have the OrBorJor’s approval to manage the port.” K. Wisut said that Seatran’s plan to develop the port corresponded better with the OrBorJor’s intentions than did the other two bids. Seatran was also the highest bidder, offering to pay the OrBorJor 251,000 baht a month. Discussing the development in detail, K. Tanan said, “We will build a roof for the pier and install fenders to keep boats from hitting the quay. We will also upgrade the basic infrastructure by improving the water and electricity supplies, and by installing fire-fighting equipment. In the long term, we plan also to build a repair yard for boats. “In addition, there will be restaurants and souvenir shops for passengers, as well as a public address system,” he said.