KPT's new container terminal to cost Rs 6,000 cr

RFQs invited for terminal with capacity of 4.9 million TEUs at Tuna-Tekra

Kandla Port Trust (KPT)'s new container terminal off Kandla creek with capacity of 4.9 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) will cost close to Rs 6000 crore. The KPT authorities have invited fresh requests for qualification (RFQs) from global partners for the project at Tuna-Tekra at Kandla Port.

As per the RFQ document released by KPT earlier in August, the project will be rolled out in three phases of which first phase would be commissioned within 3 years and the remaining two phases to be commissioned in the subsequent 2 years each.

The RFQ document estimated the project cost at Rs 5991.7 crore for developing 4.19 million TEUs of container handling capacities. The last date to submit the applications is September 21.

"In order to cater to the future growth in container traffic, the KPT Authority has decided to undertake setting up of a mega container terminal at Tuna-Tekra through public private participation (PPP) on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis," a KPT official informed.

According to port officials, earlier this year expressions of interest (EOIs) were invited from the interested parties. "Bidders for EOIs were asked to prepare a feasibility study report along with a statement of total investment required and expected revenue generation. Based on this information, we came to a conclusion about the commercial viability of the project. So, now fresh RFQs have been invited from global players," said a senior KPT official.

Senior officials informed that the project is being planned to handle 15500 TEU vessels initially with liberty to the concessionaire for handling 18000 TEU vessels by additional dredging.

Growing container businesses and shortage of infrastructure at ports along Gujarat coast has prompted authorities to make a mega container terminal at India's largest port. The new container terminal project aims to cater to the growing container handling demand of hinterland mainly in the region of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Northern India.

Currently, there are 2 berths that are used for handling container cargo. The combined current capacity of the two container handling berths is about 7.2 million TEUs.

The existing berths are located within the Kandla creek. The location for the proposed mega container terminal, which is located 10 kilometers from Tuna, has been identified by KPT to develop the port facilities beyond Kandla creek.