Case Studies

Transaction Support for Concession Bids

Clients – Various

Scope of Work – Transaction Support for Concession Bids


The lifecycle of a port operating concession typically starts with a concession bid, fiercely and competitive fought over by a pre-qualified group of international terminal operators, each looking for the commercial edge to secure new business opportunities. Whilst the operators bring the commercial business model they typically engage a consultant to support them with the technical due diligence and engineering associated with their development plans, contributing thoughts and strategies to optimize capital and maintenance investments.

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Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan (CPIP), New York

Client – Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Scope of work – Port and terminal masterplanning


The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the largest collection of neighbouring container terminals on the US East Coast, and the largest centre of auto and refined petroleum ports in the US. The port is unique as a bi-state port and serves one of the country’s largest consumer centres. In 2001 a Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan (CPIP) was implemented to cope with growing consumer demand. (more…)

Port of Balboa Container Terminal, Panama

Client – Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH)

Scope of work – Masterplanning and employer’s representative


In 1996 Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) won the concession to operate and develop the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, which stand at either end of the Panama Canal.

Neither port had been developed to any significant degree since their construction and inauguration early in the 20th century. HPH had ambitious plans to develop both terminals into state-of-the-art, world-class facilities. It commissioned Halcrow to undertake asset assessments, develop front-end engineering designs and performance specifications, and generally take on a masterplanning role. (more…)

Tecplata Container Terminal, Argentina

Client – HSBC

Scope of work – Lender’s technical advisor


The transport arteries for road traffic to the ports of Buenos Aires run alongside the historic waterfront and inner basins of Puerto Madero. The limited capacity and frequent interruptions of traffic-light-controlled interchanges, coupled with heavy peak-hour commuter and port-related traffic, contribute significantly to the congestion of the city and slow travel to and from the port terminals. (more…)