GPC Group given nod for Laem Chabang Port expansion

The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has announced that the contract for phase 3 expansion of Chon Buri's Laem Chabang Port will finally be signed this month, after years of delay due to political turmoil and legal wrangles. 
PAT director-general Kamolsak Promprayoon, in his capacity as chairman of the selection committee, announced that the construction contract for the Bt114 billion expansion was being drafted with GPC Joint Venture Group 
Phase 3 will boost the ports handling capacity from 11 million to 18 million containers per year with the construction of a new pier (Terminal F). 
The legal saga over the contract bidding began when GPC Group’s rival, NCP Joint Venture Group, was disqualified by the selection committee filing an “incomplete and incorrect” registration as a new legal entity.
The NCP Group ¬– joint venture of Nathalin Co Ltd, Associated Infinity Co Ltd, Prima Marine Co Ltd, PHS Organic Co Ltd and the China Railway Construction Corporation – filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court. The court ruled against the selection committee order and issued an injunction to halt the contract process. The selection committee then appealed the injunction.
On March 13, the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed NCP’s case against the selection committee.
GPC Joint Venture Group – consisting of PTT Tank Terminal Co Ltd, Gulf Energy Development Public Co Ltd and the China Harbor Engineering Company – is expected to sign the contract by the end of this month.