The Kandla Port Trust (KPT) today said it would construct three new berths through public private partnership (PPP) to meet the growing traffic demand of the Gujarat coast.
"We will construct three new berths (numbers 14, 15 and 16) having cargo handling capacity of 2 million tonnes each through PPP," Kandla Port Trust Deputy Chairman M A Bhaskarachar told PTI.
There are six bidders in fray for these projects having an indicative cost of Rs 660 crore, he said, adding the bids were scheduled to be opened on September 27.
According to sources, Adani Enterprises, ABG Shipyard, Sical Enterprises United Liner Agency, PSL Company and IMC Shipping are amongst the six bidders for this multi-crore project. However, Adani Enterprises spokesperson today denied having bidded for berth construction projects at KPT.
KPT that closed with a turnover of over Rs 600 crore in FY 2009-10, handled 79.5 million tonne (MT) of cargo last fiscal. It is projected to cross 82 million mark this fiscal year.
The port has seen considerable increase in cargo volumes comprising oil, coal and timber. KPT handled around 37 MT of cargo till September 20, 2010 as compared to 36 MT in the corresponding period a year ago.