"The idea is to have a string of port terminals across the Indian coast, wherever possible. This is the cheapest mode of distributing cement domestically," Kapoor said.
The 18.5 million tonne cement manufacturer's plan to set up port terminals is aimed at getting a better grip on freight cost. In line with the industry trend, Ambuja Cements' freight charges account for around 25 per cent of its total expenditure.
Each port terminal to be built by Ambuja Cements will have a capacity of over 0.5 million tonnes, as "anything less than 0.5 millon tonne capacity will not be efficient," Kapoor said.
Ambuja Cements has bid for a port terminal at Karwar in Karnataka and the company is "seriously pursuing" it, he said.
The company's port terminal at Cochin Port will be ready and operational by December, he said adding that this terminal's capacity will be 0.8 million tonnes.
