‘Saipan drydock unsafe’

Vessel owners in the Commonwealth would no longer have to go to Guam for ship inspections and repair once the planned drydock facility at the Port of Saipan is completed.

Guam’s shipyard is the only drydock facility in the region at present, leaving some CNMI ships no option but to go to Guam for repair.

Some small vessels, however, have difficulty in going to far places for dry-docking due to their limited cruising range capability, said Saipan seaport manager Antonio Cabrera.

He noted that there is an existing drydock area for small vessels at the North Seaplane Ramp in Lower Base. However, this facility is poorly equipped and the method used is crude and may be unsafe.

“The seaplane ramp is just not built as a drydock facility. By using it for this purpose, we’re compromising safety,” Cabrera said.

To address this problem, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is now seeking proposals from groups or individuals interested in constructing and operating a small ship repair and manufacturing facility at the North Seaplane Ramp.

As of yesterday, seven companies have picked up copies of the proposal package, Cabrera said.

According to the request for proposals, CPA looks at considering a build-operate-and-transfer arrangement, and encourages proposers to offer constructive and innovative proposals regarding the business operation and consideration for use of the area.

The RFP also noted that CPA may grant leases of land for periods of up to 40 years. Thus, all proposals are expected to consider the amount and type of rental to be paid to CPA under any lease. The amount may be a flat rate or percentage lease or a combination of two.

“It must be understood that [CPA] will neither finance this development, nor guarantee financing for any proposer. Thus it is expected that all proposals shall identify and include financing sources and make affirmative statements of their capabilities, qualifications, and intent to complete the project,” a portion of the RFP read.

The proposer will also be responsible for securing required federal and local permits since the project will involve land with the shoreline areas and the Tanapag lagoon.

CPA said that while it will cooperate and assist in the acquisition of the necessary permits, the proposer will have to qualify for, secure, and pay for the permits.