Egypt’s PPP Central Unit plans to tender the Nile River Bus Ferry public-private partnership (PPP) project in August, its director Atter Hannoura has told MEED.

The unit is currently finalising land licences, tender documents and draft contracts.

Thirty two companies picked up prequalification documents before a June deadline. The PPP Central Unit has not completed prequalification, but aims to select two or three developer consortiums, according to Hannoura.

The local and international companies interested include the UAE’s Mubadala Infrastructure Partners, UK consultants Mott MacDonald, shipping line P&O and South Korea’s SK Engineering & Construction.

The UK’s EY is the transaction and financial adviser for the project. Other advisers to the PPP Central Unit, the General Transportation Authorisation in Cairo and Cairo Governorate are Eversheds (UK), WSP PB (UK), Arab Legal Consultants (local) and Dorsch Gruppe (Germany).

This is Egypt’s first transport PPP project, as other transport investment is being funded by development banks.

The contract involves financing, developing, operating and maintaining the freight and passenger transport service for 25 years.

The service currently has nine boats and 16 terminals in a poor condition.

The work involves procuring and operating 30 boats. The original 16 terminals will be rehabilitated, and 14 new ones designed and built.