SCI to bid for JNPT terminal

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is planning to bid for the proposed fourth container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), but as a minority stakeholder.

"Even though SCI is keen on foraying into container terminal operations, we will only look at the fourth container terminal at JNPT," SCI chairman and managing director P K Srivastava said.

Srivastava said the company would tie up with some of the international terminal operators for bidding and remain "just an investor" by picking up minority stake.

"We will not be bidding for any other project other than the Jawaharlal Nehru port as we are looking at port terminals in our operational area and will be just a minor investor," he said.

The SCI chief said it has not yet finalised the terminal operator as JNPT has not firmed up the project details for the upcoming container terminal.

"At present, the project cost for the fourth container terminal is varying from Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 4,000 crore. We will finalise the partner as soon as the port finalises the project," he added.

Meanwhile, JNPT has shortlisted consultant firms to carry out techno-economic feasibility study and sent it to shipping ministry for approval, senior port officials said.

"We are waiting for the government's nod and once the firm is shortlisted, they will carry out the study on the container terminal and proposed marine chemical terminal at port," they said.