Overview
- Jan De Nul, which filed its challenge Wednesday after Envelope 1 was opened, asked the evaluator to disqualify DEME for alleged legal, technical, and financial breaches.
- The National Ports and Navigation Agency has already removed Brazil’s DTA Engenharia for missing the bid guarantee and has told DEME to answer formal requests for clarifications while both Belgian bidders remain in contention.
- Jan De Nul’s filing cites a conditioned bid bond, sworn dredging volumes that conflict with work certificates, a suction dredge listed below the 4,000 kW minimum, missing monthly-volume affidavits, and an unauthorized user submitting the offer.
- La Nación reports DEME has discussed an operating role and possible equity with U.S. dredger Great Lakes Dredge & Dock and engaged Clear Street as financial adviser, with development lenders such as DFC and IFC named in financing talks.
- The 25-year award would guide about $10 billion of work on a 1,400 km corridor that moves roughly 80% of Argentina’s agro-exports, with a selection expected around May if the current review stays on track.