 "Paradip Port in talks with Jindal for usage of upcoming container")
This berth is a part of Paradip Port Trust’s expansion plan, which includes the development of a Western Dock Complex comprising six berths which will cater to commodities such as fertiliser, iron ore, coal, high-value cargo and petroleum products.
“The berth will be coming up in next three years and can be used to sail out the value-added products of steel,” Mishra added. With an estimated cost of Rs 431 crore, the container berth will be able to hold 125,000 DWT (dead weight tonne) sized-vessels.
“We cannot disclose much but our total logistical costs are going to be very competitive and so we are hopeful that our talks with the steel companies will be successful,” said Mishra.
The Port Trust will be awarding the container berth by September and is expected to take a span of 36 months for completion.
“United Liner Agencies of India (part of J M Baxi Group) has been identified to carry out construction of the berth but we are still evaluating the reasonableness of the bid,” Mishra added. The initial layout for the expansion plan of the six berths is done and the total investment is seen at Rs 16,000 crore, Paradip Port Trust said in its investor presentation.
The expansion plan will increase the port’s capacity to 270.50 million tonnes by 2023 from 108.50 million tonnues at present.
Gujarat-based Adani Group, which acquired Dhamra port recently also plans to raise capacity at the multi-cargo bulk handling facility, including building a container terminal in two-three years.
"Yes, there we will be competition from the Dhamra port since they will also be coming up with a container terminal but we are prepared for that," said Mishra.
Paradip Port Trust is the second largest major port in the country having deep draft, proximity to rich mineral reserves, vicinity to the large hinterland and land-locked regions.