Mundra Port augments berths; Scouts for long-term biz

Mumbai: Mundra Port’s liquid cargo handling capacity is expected to touch 22-million tonnes (mt) during fiscal 2006-07 from 14-mt in 2005-06. In an exclusive interview to LNNnews.com, Mr. Sandeep Mehta, CEO, Mundra Port, said that they have entered into a tie-up with IndianOil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery to handle latter’s cargo. The pact was sealed about three months ago, he added.


Hinting at similar such agreements in near future, Mr. Mehta said: “We can negotiate across the table and can tailor-make the solutions to port users.”


Mr. Mehta, who spearheads the Rs. 12,000-million expansion programme, was quite optimistic about taking Mundra Port to a new high upon completion of projects that are in various stages of implementation. “Already we are performing well and the expansion would help us building more capacities that go along with projected demand.”


The Port has recently commissioned one multi-purpose berth. It is now in the process of developing another three berths that are scheduled for commissioning later next year. Following this, the multipurpose berths capacity would be eight from four, now. It is also doubling its container handling facility by doubling its berth capacity to four from two.


The Port is also making sizeable portion of its investment into acquiring major equipments that help facilitate speedy handling of cargoes. It is installing 2 cranes with a capacity of 100 tonnes each, and augmenting its five tugs fleet capacity to eight by inducting another three. Each tug will have a capacity of 56 tonnes.


It has also undertaken a massive dredging and reclamation works inside the Port channel.


According to Mr. Mehta, Mundra Port will take up further expansion in next few years. He said that plans are afoot to develop 13 berths inside the Mundra Port Basin. He however, declined to comment on the size of investment that requires for this expansion.


Meanwhile, the Port has evinced interest in diversifying into special economic zone segment. A venture that is in the nascent stage is styled and named as ”Mundra Port Special Economic Zone”. The multi-million dollar scheme will be developed in a phased manner in about 25,000 acres of land adjacent to the Port facility. The first phase, which is planned in 10,000 acres, will see basic infrastructure coming up like roads, streetlights, green belt, potable water, captive power plant and residential buildings.

Mundra Port Special Economic Zone will be at par with Jebel Ali Free Zone of Dubai, according to Mr. Mehta. “We are very much impressed with JAFZ and will ensure that following the same standard here at our economic zone,” he said.


In the meantime, the Port is gearing up to operate rail-based containerised cargo operations. It may be mentioned that the Port has received approval to operate container trains all over India about few weeks ago. It has paid the license fee of Rs. 500-million to the Indian Railways. According to Mr. Mehta, the project is progressing as it has received wheel sets required to operate.


The Port is also making considerable investment in developing rail network connecting the main rail link. It is progressing with its 200-km Bildhi-Samkhiali broad gauge railroad project.


The Port through its internal resources had developed a 64-km railroad to connect the Adipur, main railhead. It is also holding 20 percent stake in Kutch Rail Corporation, which recently completed the Gandhidham-Palanpur rail link project.