Maruti Suzuki mulls exclusive port for car exports

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki is contemplating setting up a dedicated port and is in talks with the Department of Shipping. 'Areas under consideration include Kandla and Hazira in Gujarat,' Mr A.K. Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Shipping, said on the sidelines of a conference here today.

Maruti Suzuki wants an area of seven lakh square metres, it is learnt. The port is likely to be designed for automobile exports only. However, the company is unlikely to operate the port itself.

Earlier, Suzuki Motors Corporation Chief, Mr Osamu Suzuki, had sought infrastructure support such as a big port with easy loading and unloading facilities and no waiting delays, roads and railways.

The port would be needed for Maruti Suzuki's proposed joint operations with Nissan for which a new plant would be set up and would cater mostly to the export market. With India emerging as a hub for automobile exports, various auto companies including Hyudai are considering setting up ports.