Kandla port to set up 4 more berths

Kandla Port Trust (KPT) is going to develop four additional berths by December 2007. A Janardhana Rao, chairman said, "The construction work of cargo berth number 12 is in full swing and will be completed by June, 2006."

A notice inviting tender for build operate and transfer (BOT) projects for four dry cargo berths number 13, 14, 15 and 16, with an overall length of 300 mtrs is in progress, he added.

"Each berth will cost around Rs 120 crore," said Rao. Further, he said that KPT is planning to undertake a project of developing Tuna Port as a satellite port with higher draft for post-Panamax vessels.

"We have already tendered out the work for constructing barge handling facilities, which will cater to the barges being handled at Kandla for dry bulk and break-bulk cargoes," he said.

He further added that KPT is again investing Rs 600 crore in two phases. "In first phase, the trust will invest Rs 250 crore and later Rs 350 crore will be invested in the second phase," claimed Rao. He added that KPT is negotiating with some major oil PSUs for two jetties.

The most important trade expectation at Kandla Port over the years was to increase the drafts in the channel.

This requirement is being met successfully by increasing the draft to 11.7 mtrs by continuous dredging, which will further touch 12 mtrs soon.

By the end of 2006, KPT will be able to provide at least 12.5 mtrs of draft for all vessels, he claimed.

Rao said that KPT was handling 3.8 million tonne of additional traffic than the corresponding period last year, which works out to 12.7 per cent growth rate.

"The actual traffic is also in excess of targets fixed for the port, by the ministry of shipping. We would be able to handle at least 45 million tonne by the end of 2005-06," added Rao. He added that KPT expects traffic of 90 MMT by the end of 2013-14.

However, Essar Oil have also re-commenced the construction activities of the Refinery at Jamnagar and marine related works at

Vadinar for the purpose of handling crude and products. The progress has reached upto 50 per cent.

The crude and product handling at their single buoy mooring system and the product jetties will be commenced by August, 2006, informed Rao.