ExCo approves for FIPASS works

On Tuesday 21 February ExCo approved two papers relating to port facilities in Stanley. One gave authorisation for remedial and improvement works to FIPASS to ensure operational capability for at least five more years. The second gave the go ahead for tendering for phased replacement of the floating barge system, with a return to ExCo after tendering for a formal decision on costs and detailed proposals.  This work follows the decision by ExCo in September 2022 not to proceed with the BAM Nuttall designed New Port Facility (NPF).

This decision also covered access to the current and any future floating barge system, authorising a complete assessment of access road and causeway locations and design options, including how the proposed causeway will interface with the New Port Facility (NPF), with timescale for delivery.

Tenders will now be invited for the phased replacement of the existing FIPASS barges, with the reinstatement of 300m of berthing face by replacing the north west barge being the initial priority (phase 1). Tenderers will be instructed to provide a proposed timetable for the complete phased replacement of the existing structure by December 2027 (phase 2). As part of the tender contractors will be invited to propose engineered solutions for the best configuration of barges – including looking at options of having fewer than the current 6 barges – to achieve the functional requirements defined by ongoing engagement with all current port users and the greatest level of cost efficiency over the lifecycle of the new structure.

Portfolio Holder for Development and Commercial Services, MLA Mark Pollard said: “The decision to approve these papers follows five months of work to provide detailed information on how we can ensure that FIPASS can continue to serve the Islands until we put in place a longer-term solution. FIPASS has served the Islands for decades and ExCo is confident that the decision today to tender for a phased replacement of the floating barge system now represents the most prudent way forward. We continue to remain responsible for ensuring a sensible balance between maintaining our financial reserves, and moving forward with other vital capital projects, the break clause in the BAM Nuttall contract has proven we can retain control on important projects and not invest further public money in a project that is not to our satisfaction. I would like to thank the team at Development and Commercial Services for all the work they have undertaken so far. They have been working to ensure, following engagement with industry, relevant FIG and regulatory teams, and local contractors that everyone has an opportunity to be part of this work.”

Additional Information:

Tenders will be separated for each of the central specialties as appropriate to the phases: i. replacement of barges and decommissioning old barges, and ii. access road and causeway construction. This is to improve the attractiveness of tendering to a range of contractors and in particular to open up opportunities for on-Island companies to tender. It is not necessarily the case that all tender packages will be opened at the same time; the Port Project Team remains happy to meet and discuss tendering with any interested party.

To require the successful contractor(s) to include the provision of either; a partnership delivery agreement with a Falkland Islands-based company, or, a permanent agent based in the Falkland Islands for the duration of the contract to be approved by FIG.  

The selected contractor(s) will be required to work in conjunction with Stanley Services Ltd (SSL) on the technical requirements for fuel delivery and bunkering.