The generator has sat in the water off the coal loader at Port Kembla since it was decommissioned in 2009.

There is no chance of the Oceanlinx company removing it as the company went into receivership in April, 2014, owing creditors $7 million.

But before then, repeated promises from several company representatives to remove the generator came to nothing.

In December last year, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) called for expressions of interest in removing the wave generator, with 13 companies keen to win the job.

Four of those companies are based in the Illawarra - T&D Metals and Demolition at Yellow Rock, Tolco at Port Kembla, WGE engineering consultants and Southern Commercial Divers from Albion Park.

One business is based in Picton - Brefni Excavation and Earthmoving.

In February, an RMS spokesman said the tender process was expected to start in late March.

However, the companies are yet to lodge a formal tender.

"Roads and Maritime Services is carrying out due diligence to ensure the 13 prospective tenders have sufficient information to enable them to make a conforming bid," a spokesman said.

"All tenders will be provided with sufficient time to submit their bids," he said.

The successful bidder will need to start work on ridding the water of the Oceanlinx eyesore sooner rather than later.

Work to remove the wave generator is expected to start later this year and a time frame will be negotiated with the chosen contractor, the RMS spokesman said.