A call for proposals for the management of cargo handling at Grand Harbour will be issued next week, possibly as early as Monday, according to sources.
Six organisations have expressed an interest in managing cargo handling and an adjudication committee has declared that interested bidders are valid.
The applicants - a mixture of companies and consortiums - are Carmelo Caruana Company Ltd, Farrugia, Gatt and Falzon, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company, PD Port Services, Malta Port Terminals Ltd and TF Shipping Agencies.
The winning bidder, which will be chosen after a comprehensive assessment process by a team made up of Malta Maritime Authority and Competitiveness Ministry officials, will be offered a 10-year contract. However, it will not cover work at the Freeport
The current contract, held by the General Workers' Union-owned Cargo Handling Co. Ltd, which has handled such work since 1970, expires in July. A request by the union to extend the contract had been turned down.
When the process was launched last year, MMA chairman Marc Bonello said the cargo handling rates at the Valletta port were the highest in Europe.
The winning consortium will be expected to better coordinate the grouping of port services, increase efficiency, reduce obsolete work practices and introduce tariffs to compete with other Mediterranean ports.
An economic report drawn up on the ports had said it would not be viable for the Valletta ports to have more than one cargo terminal operator.
"The tender would go to the company that has the experience and that will guarantee the necessary investment in equipment and quays, renders the most efficient service and charges the lowest prices for handling cargo," Dr Bonello had said.
The government is hoping that Malta's ports will succeed in attracting additional work by utilising its geographical position to the full.
However, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb has said there is no guarantee that going to tender for the provision of port services would result in a better service and cheaper prices.