Ship-piloting services

Tender description

Belfast Harbour Commissioners (‘BHC’) is a competent harbour authority as defined in Section I of the Pilotage Act 1987 and is legally responsible for the provision of pilotage services to vessels bound to and from Belfast Harbour and within, and within the approaches to, the Belfast pilotage area. This area is defined as the sea area west of an imaginary line between Carrickfergus Castle and Grey Point, and east of the river Lagan M3 road bridge, as shown on Admiralty Chart No 1752 but also includes any extended area from time to time. In order to fulfil its obligations BHC is required to engage the services of pilots. To this end, BHC intends to embark on a market sounding exercise with interested potential suppliers to obtain market feedback and potentially inform its procurement approach to securing such services from January 2017. BHC is considering its procurement approach to securing pilotage services from qualified and competent suppliers with effect from January 2017. To assist BHC in the decision making process, BHC welcomes expressions of interest in this procurement from all suitable potential suppliers. The purpose of this exercise is to gain market feedback on best practice to help inform BHC's procurement strategy. Suppliers who register an interest will be invited to meet, on a 1 to 1 basis with BHC. It is currently envisaged that 2 separate meetings will be held by BHC with those suppliers who register their interest. The 1st meeting shall take place week commencing 8.8.2016 and it is currently anticipated that the 2nd meeting shall take place week commencing 22.8.2016 and may include an informal presentation by interested suppliers on their proposed approach. Interested suppliers should note that attendance at each meeting shall be restricted to 2 representatives only.