Paradeep port to develop outer harbour at Rs 4,179 cr

IIT-Madras has recommended a Southern Side layout for the proposed harbour

Paradeep Port Trust (PPT) has proposed to develop an outer harbour under the Sagarmala project.  The harbour would offer the major port a draft of 22 metres, enabling it to handle huge Capesise vessels of 200,000 dead weight tonnage (dwt). The cost of developing the harbour is estimated at Rs 4,179 crore.

Under its ambitious Sagarmala project, the central government is looking to mobilise at least Rs 10 lakh crore investment, including Rs 4 lakh crore in the infrastructure sector alone.

Sagarmala is a project unveiled by the Narendra Modi government that aims to accelerate economic development by harnessing the potential of India's 7,500 km coastline. 
 

Of the various options of developing the outer harbour layout for PPT, IIT-Madras has recommended Southern Side layout. Mckinsey-Aecom is carrying out the techno-economic feasibility study.

The port has taken up several projects during the last fiscal in pursuit of its capacity augmentation. The draft has been enhanced from 12-12.5 metres to 14-14.5 metres in six berths. Dredging of North Oil Jetty taken up to increase the draft to 16 metres, has been substantially completed. 
 

PPT has already inked a concession agreement in March last year with Paradip International Cargo Terminal Pvt Ltd (PICT). It is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by United Liner Agencies India Pvt Ltd which is a part of J M Baxi Group for construction/development of a multipurpose berth through public private partnership (PPP) mode on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis in order to cater to the container traffic and clean cargo at Paradip port.  The berth capable of handling clean cargo including containers, is estimated to cost Rs 430.78 crore.

Another concession agreement has been signed with JSW Paradip Terminal Pvt Ltd for development of 10 million tonne per annum (mtpa) deep draught iron ore berth on BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis (PPP mode) at an estimated cost of Rs 740.19 crore at 21% revenue share to the port.

PPT has taken up a slew of initiatives in line with recommendation of Boston Consulting Group – the international consulting firm engaged by the Ministry of Shipping.

The port has implemented productivity norms for the vessels handled in the mechanised coal handling plant and other general cargo berths with effect from August 2015 and rolled out penal charges for inefficiencies in the mechanised coal berths from November 2015.