Philippine port operator gets security nod

After a delay of four months, Indian intelligence agencies have given security clearance to International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) of the Philippines for participating in the Rs 1,200-crore offshore container terminal project at Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).

ICTSI is the management contractor of engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the container terminal project.

L&T and Gammon India were the only two bidders which have submitted technical and financial bids for the project.

Sources close to the development said the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs have okayed security clearance for ICTSI. However, ICTSI will have to seek prior security clearance for the personnel deployed during the construction of the terminal if it wins the mandate from Mumbai Port.

"With the security clearance for ICTSI, the port can open the technical and financial bids of L&T," sources said.

When contacted, MbPT officials said they had not received any communication from the Ministry of Shipping.

L&T had roped in ICTSI following the government's denial of security clearance to Chinese port major Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH).