Bid criteria shift aims to curb European dominance but sparks fairness and compliance concerns.

VOC Port Tweaks HAM Tender Norms, Risks Clash with India–EU Trade Pact.

The VOC Port Authority has revised qualification criteria for its ₹29,827 crore outer harbour Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) project in an effort to reduce dependence on European dredging firms. Under Chairman S K Purohit, the port dropped mandatory dredging and reclamation experience and replaced it with a requirement for at least 2 km of breakwater construction completed in India. While the move could enable Indian companies to gain large-scale dredging experience, critics argue it sidelines international competition and contradicts dredging guidelines issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The change may also conflict with commitments under the India–EU free trade pact, which binds dredging services for EU firms. With dredging forming over 66% of the project cost, bidders allege the revised norms unfairly favour domestic players such as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. The strategy still awaits multiple regulatory approvals.