Trainose and Thriasio tenders hit snags that hamper their sale
The tenders for the concession of railway service operator Trainose and for the Thriasio Freight Center face two new obstacles hampering their progress.
Market professionals are voicing concern that the new tender for Trainose may not be as attractive following a recent agreement signed with Rosco for the maintenance of carriages, with Rosco also about to be privatized. The deal renders Rosco more attractive, as it provides for a higher cost of maintenance, with a direct impact on Trainose’s finances.
This would by default cut the price bidders would be willing offer for Trainose. Moreover, if the April 26 deadline for binding bids for the sale of the railway assets is missed, an agreement between the state and the European Commission freezing Brussels’ decision for Trainose to return subsidies of 750 million euros to the state, may also be jeopardized.
Likewise, any delays in the concession of the Thriasio center would lead to the European Investment Bank seeking a return of funds of over 100 million euros. Meanwhile, the numerous bidders who have expressed an interest in the freight center development are demanding an area almost twice as big as the 588,000 square meters the state is putting up for grabs through the railway property company (GAIAOSE).