Given the geographic location and terrain of the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), domestic maritime transport is crucial for moving goods and passengers within each country and across the region. Despite its importance, the sector faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, complex governance, and limited workforce capacity. A significant issue is the lack of focus on ship repair, maintenance, and safety, with many vessels being very old and posing operational and environmental risks.

To mitigate these risks and ensure compliance with maritime standards, shipping companies must send their vessels for drydocking every few years. However, the region has limited drydock facilities, primarily in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, which are often fully booked and outdated. This forces companies to use distant facilities in countries like Singapore, Australia, and China, increasing costs and causing revenue loss.

The Transport Team of IFC seeks to hire a consultant to conduct a Market Assessment of the drydock market in the Pacific Island Countries. The consultant will evaluate current supply of drydock facilities, assess demand, identify potential locations for new or expanded facilities, and provide strategic recommendations to enhance drydock infrastructure to support the domestic shipping fleet of PICs.

MARKET ASSESSMENT OF DRY-DOCKING MARKET IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS

Expressions of Interest Submission Deadline: Jan-20-2025, 11:59 PM EST

       I.           ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Title: Market Assessment of Dry-Docking Market in Pacific Island Countries

    II.           ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

The assignment is to conduct a market assessment of the dry-docking sector in the South and South-West Pacific Island Countries. More specifically, the assessment is broken into two phases:

·        Phase 1 will include among others, a Supply & Demand Analysis, a Gap and Opportunity Analysis, and detailed list of Strategic Recommendations. The Demand Side Analysis should encompass all the Pacific Island countries across the South and South-West Pacific Region. However, for the Supply Side Analysis, scope covers Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands.

·        For phase 2, the Consulting firm hired will undertake a detailed business review/feasibility including high-level E&S risks and opportunities of at least one of the identified dockyard opportunities from phase 1.

Team members proposed by the Consulting firm will be required to engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and industry associations, to gather insights and validate findings through field visit (s) as well as conduct interviews, surveys and focus group discussions, as necessary.

Objective of the study

The Objective of the study is to better understand the market for dry-docking in the Pacific region and identify opportunities for private sector investment in the sector.

  III.           CONSULTANT PROFILE

IFC is looking for a firm with experience in maritime transport, including domestic inter-island transport, ship decarbonization and dry-docking services. The team of experts proposed by the Consulting firm should have:

(i)     Proven strong experience in conducting market assessments in the maritime sector, especially in inter-island/domestic shipping, drydocking services and related technical aspect of small and medium size vessels (Multipurpose cargo vessel, landing craft, tugboats, among others).

(ii)   Strong understanding of local and international regulatory and shipping industry specific rules and conventions relevant to this assignment.

(iii) Strong analytical and research skills, and experience in stakeholder engagement and conducting interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions.

The team members proposed by the consulting firm are expected to be available throughout the assignment.

  IV.           QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

·        Provide information showing that they are qualified in the field of the assignment (Mandatory)

·        Provide information on the technical and managerial capabilities of the firm (Mandatory)

·        Provide information on their core business and years in business (Mandatory)

·        Provide information on the qualifications of key staff (Mandatory)

     V.           NOTES

Following this request for Expression of Interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals.