SHIPPING2 2 CARGOTALK J U N E 2 0 1 5

Providing quality services at reasonable costs

QWhat are theinitiatives taken by

Kandla Port that helped itto create a record incargo handling, despiteutilising only 87 per centof its cargo handlingcapacity?

The Kandla Port retains itsnumber one position among majorports for the sixth year in a row andhas attained 92.5 Million MetricTonnes (MMT) mark in 2014-15,thereby, an increase of 6.3 per centin cargo throughput, compared withlast year. The port’s throughput isimpressive, considering the fact thatthe port utilised 87 per cent of itscargo handling capacity of 106.32 MMT. These throughput levels of Kandla Port were accomplished, despite rain or badweather conditions affecting routineport operations, idling of containerterminal at the port, continuingimpact of global economic recessionand industrial slowdown in the country.

QCould you enumeratethe records created

by Kandla Port in cargohandling during the year2014-15?

In the fiscal 2014-15, recordswere created in cargo handling:

• The cargo handling operationsstarted at Tuna Tekra by Adani Kandla Bulk Terminal(AKBTPL) in February 2015. The first vessel, Sheng Ming, handled and discharged thermalcoal of 71200 MT and sailed on February 15, 2015. During FY 2014-15, AKBTPL had serviced a total of two cargo vessels.

• The port has handled the secondhighest throughput in its historyafter handling 93.62 MMT in FY2012-13.

• The Port handled a total of 2235vessels, including tankers, atVadinar during FY 2014-15.

• With the substantial capacity addi-tions at the port, it is expected thatKPT will cross the 100 MMT markduring 2015-16.

QWhat are themeasures

implemented by KPT tostay ahead?The following measures are beingtaken by Kandla Port Trust:

• The port is conducting businessand investor meets; also stepshave been taken to re-commissionthe container terminal at Kandlain 2015.

• The port has been auctioning land as per the Land PolicyGuidelines 2014.

• In order to attract fertilizer andwheat cargoes, the port is pursu-ing the matter with theMinistry of Fertilizers and FoodCorporation of India fornomination of respec-tive cargoes throughKandla Port.

• Setting up of SinglePoint Mooring (SPM)and allied facilities offVeera in Gulf of Kutchon BOT basis.

• Setting up of a contain-er terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Kandla Port onBOT Basis.

• Rail connectivity to theexisting Tuna Port fromGandhidham.

• Construction of bulkstorage shed insidecargo jetty area.

• An Expression ofInterest (EoI) was invited by theKPT for laying one more SPM and development of one more liquid bulk handling facility at Vadinar and Essar Oil have beenawarded for development of two more product jetties and onemore SBM to handle an additionalcargo value of 24.5 MMTPA at OOT Vadinar.

QWhat are the plansfor the next five

years?Kandla Port aims to function

with the following aims in sight:

• Improving efficiency parametersto achieve RFD targets.

• Achieving 15 metres draught inthe new Greenfield Satellite Portat Tuna-Tekra.

• Improving two Oil Jetties forcapacity augmentation.

• Developing barge handling facilities.• Revamping of container terminalat Berth Nos.11 and 12.

• Adding new floating and mobileharbour cranes.

• Railway connectivity from mainline to satellite port of Tuna-Tekra.

QHow would theformation of a SPV

(to provide efficient railsystem to major ports)benefit in terms of cargohandling and logisticscost at the port?

The success of a port dependson its ability to integrate itself effec-tively into the networks of businessrelationship that shape supplychains. Rail connectivity is an impor-tant area given the distinct advantageit has over road connectivity.

The Government has, there-fore, decided to set up a SpecialPurpose Vehicle (SPV) with partici-pation from major ports to undertakePort Railway connectivity works andimprove efficiency in railway evacu-ation in ports, enhancing port han-dling capacity and efficiency.

This SPV would undertakeprojects to provide last mile connec-tivity to major ports, modernise railrelated infrastructure, operate and

manage the internal port railway sys-tem and leverage the participative

models to enhance last mile connec-tivity of ports as well as capacity ofembedded sections critical for hinter-land connectivity.

In a peninsular region like India,where all the places are not connect-ed by sea and inland waters, rail connectivity has an advantage interms of carrying capacity, cost pertonne and preferential treatment vis-à-vis road. Consequently, an effi-cient rail system is always an aid tothe port in terms of cargo handlingand logistic costs.

CT BUREAU

Adjudged as the ‘Major Port of the Year 2014’ by India Seatrade of South India, Kandla Port Trust retains the numero uno position amongst Indian Major Ports sixth year in a row. Ravi Parmar, Chairman-in-Charge,Kandla Port Trust highlights the measures implemented that resulted in increase in efficiency along with reduction in pre-berthing detention.

Ravi ParmarChairman-in-ChargeKandla Port Trust

• The Kandla Por t Trustowns 244,000 acres ofland - the biggest tractowned by any port trustauthority anywhere in the world.

An all-weather port at Wadhwanin Thane district will be devel-

oped by the Maharashtra MaritimeBoard in a joint venture withJawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT)to push the handling capacity up to100 million tonnes annually. The JV

options for the project thatentails an investment of morethan `10,000 crore are51: 49, 50:50 and 74:26.

A senior StateGovernment official said, “The

Union Ministry of Shipping andPorts has held at least four meetings with the representativesof Maharashtra Maritime Board and JNPT to discuss the project and its viability.”

The port has a draft of 18 metres and is connected with rail and road. It would be able to cater to increasing cargo traffic considering constraints of Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

Wadhwan Port to be developed