The Rs 900 crore, 1.8 million tonne per annum chemical port at Dahej in Gujarat is ready and is awaiting a formal inauguration.
"The liquid cargo port at Dahej is ready, but we have not been able to get chief minister Keshubhai Patel to inaugurate the facility because of the model code of conduct that was put into force in the state for the ensuing panchayat polls," Gujarat industries minister Suresh Mehta said.
"The port would propel the growth of Indian chemical industry by providing sophisticated infrastructural facilities to enable companies to import and export liquid chemicals," he said.
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The Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal Company (GCPTCL) is promoted by Indian Petrochemicals Corporation, Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers Company, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals, Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation, Gujarat Maritime Board and Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation.
The port is the first facility in the country exclusively for liquid chemicals and would handle 1.8 million tonne cargo per annum in the first phase for its promoters, the minister said, adding any excess facility would be offered to other companies who wish to import or export liquid chemicals.
The port can handle several chemicals like caustic lye, methanol, propylene, naphtha and benzene. It has a storage capacity of over three lakh cubic metre and can take vessels from 600 to 40,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT).
"The specialty of the port is its jetty that stretches over two km into the sea and has seven remote-controlled loading and unloading arms at the jetty head for different kinds of chemicals," Mehta said. The port has specialised tanks such as double walled and cryogenic tanks and its closed cargo handling system ensures faster turnaround time, zero contamination and zero loss, he said.
Special safety measures have also been incorporated in the project with emergency release systems, remotely operated hydrant and water or foam tenders and gas detection systems.
The promoters have already invested about Rs 900 crore in the first phase of the project which has been lead financed by ICICI and the equity base of GCPTCL is Rs 180 crore, Mehta said.