Hazira's first container terminal to start operations soon

The much-awaited first container terminal in southern coastline of Gujarat, will commence its operations by mid-August. Operated by Adani Hazira Port Pvt Ltd (AHPPL), the terminal may see first vessel calling the port on August 15, 2012, sources close to the development informed.

"This will be the first container terminal in south Gujarat region and we expect the first vessel to be berthed at the terminal on August 15. It is likely to be a container vessel from government-owned liner, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)," said a source privy to the development.

The terminal, in the first phase will have two berths of 650 meters quay and capacity to handle close of 1 million TEUs (Twenty-feet equivalent unit) per annum. The all-weather terminal, which is a part of the multi-purpose Adani Hazira Port, will have non-LNG terminals including container, bulk terminals, and a liquid terminal.

Adani Group officials did not respond to calls in this regard.

"There are issues of high congestion at JNPT and Mundra. There was an urgent need to have a third container terminal in south Gujarat, where a large number of industries are located. This will save on cost as well as time for the importers and exporters," said Sanjeev Shah, a chartered accountant and financial advisor based in Vadodara.

Currently, Gujarat has three privately held container terminals, of which two are located at Mundra in Kutch - one is operated by Mundra International Container Terminal and another by Adani Group's Adani Port and one is located at Pipavav near Bhavnagar, operated by APM terminals.

AHPPL is the developer and operator of the port under a sub-concession agreement with Hazira Port Pvt Ltd - a joint venture of Shell BV and Gaz De France. HPPL operates a LNG terminal at Hazira under a concession agreement with the government of Gujarat. HPPL has granted exclusive sub-concession to Adani Hazira Port Pvt Ltd to develop non-LNG port facilities at Hazira.