Kandla Port’s capacity enhancement in offfing, Shipping Ministry Informs RS MP Parimal Nathwani

Ahmedabad, 25 November, 2011

The ministry of shipping has identified 23 projects for bidding /award under public private partnership (PPP) mode for enhancing capacity of major ports in the country in 2011-12. Out of these 23 projects, nine are new projects. Gujarat’s major port at Kandla has four such projects with an estimated cost of Rs. 1847.88 Crore. These will enhance Kandla port’s capacity by another 36.68 mtpa.

This was informed by union minister of shipping Mr. G.K. Vasan in reply to a question from rajya sabha member Mr. Parimal Nathawani.

In accordance with the statement tabled in the house by the minister, the four projects for enhancement of Kandla port’s capacity include development of dry bulk terminal at Tuna at a cost of Rs. 1060 Crore with 14.11 mtpa. Setting up of a single point mooring (SPM) with 12 mtpa capacity at Veera in Gulf of Kutch at an estimated cost of Rs. 621.53 Crore is another major enhancement at Kandla.

Upgradation of barge handling facility at bunder basin and mechanization of cargo berth No. 7 and 8 are two new projects which are estimated at Rs., 85.74 Crore and Rs. 80.61 Crore respectively. These two new projects would add to Kandla port’s capacity by another 3.22 mtpa and 7.35 mtpa respectively.

Rest of the projects identified for award during 2011-12 have gone to country’s other major ports viz. Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin, Mormugoa and JNPT. All the 23 projects on various major ports of the country will involve an estimated cost of Rs. 16813.63 Crore which would add to our ports capacity by another 36.68 mtpa; as per the minister’s statement in the house.