L&T to diversify cargo handling at Katupalli Port.

L&T Shipbuilding Ltd. is diversifying its cargo handling capacity at Katupalli Port to include automobiles and oil products in addition to its original plans for container handling.

The private port, about 30 km to the north of Chennai, has revised its cargo mix by scaling down container handling to provide space for the new items.

Originally, the Katupalli port planned to handle a total of 25 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, of which 24 MT was containerised cargo and the rest steel and project cargo. Sources said to accommodate handling of automobile and oil products, the container handling will now reduce to 21.60 MT.

At a recent meeting, the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority decided to consider the company's revised agenda. The company obtained environmental clearance in July 2009 for the development of ship yard-cum-port complex at Kattupalli. The company informed the Authority that the amendment was envisaged only for the storage area development to accommodate revised traffic projections, the source said.

Officials at Katupalli port could not be reached for a comment.

L&T Shipbuilding is a joint-venture between Larsen & Toubro and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, a State government industry promotion agency. It is the developer of the integrated shipyard-cum-port and has entered into a management contract with Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc to operate the container terminal.

HBL