Local company, B.K International Incorporated, is among three companies that have submitted bids for the salvaging of the MV Barima ferry, which sank on the 18th July claiming the lives of more than 100 persons.
The bids range from approximately $1 billion to more than $2 billion.
According to the bid documents opened on Tuesday by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Industrial Fabrication Inc. submitted a bid of $1.895 billion, BK International submitted a bid of $1.034 billion, and KMS B.V out of the Netherlands sent in a bit of just over $2 billion.
The Bid security amounts ranged from $15.6 million to as much as US$136,691.
In early August, the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) invited qualified and experienced marine salvage contractors to submit Expressions of Interest to salvage the sunken vessel.
According to MARAD, the vessel is currently sitting on the seabed offshore Essequibo.
MARAD had explained that visibility at the wreck site is poor, and strong currents and tidal streams may be encountered at times, necessitating suitably robust procedures and equipment for safe operations.
As part of the tender, the companies were expected to propose methods for the salvaging of the vessel. The bids are to be evaluated before a final decision is made on the award of the contract.
Survivors of the tragedy along with relatives of those who died, and those who are still missing, have been pressing for the vessel to be salvaged.
A Commission of Inquiry into the ferry tragedy is expected to begin its work this month with public hearings. The salvage of the vessel is expected to be key to the work of the Commission of Inquiry.
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