Rotterdam seeks extension for developing Positra port

One year later, a consortium led by Port of Rotterdam – the largest port of Europe, has sought extension from the state government to develop the ambitious Positra port project that is yet to take off due to environmental clearance issues.

Rotterdam had signed MoU with the state government at the Vibrant Gujarat investors’ summit in January 2009 to develop the port for an investment of Rs 5,000 crore.

Later on, Europe’s leading container port joined hands with Port of Sohar and Nikhil Gandhi-controlled Sea King Infrastructure Ltd (SKIL) to develop Gujarat Positra Port.

“The developers are yet to get necessary environmental clearances from the Centre to develop the port. And without this they cannot get shareholders’ agreement. The project as of today is on ‘drawing board’,” said government sources close the development.

The developers have approached the state government to re-validate the terms of MoU which expires on January 12 and extend it by a year, he added.

The project was initially conceived by SKIL about a decade ago as the first port-based SEZ of the country however it hit a green hurdle as it lies close to a marine national park, sources said. When contacted, K Sanchavat, head of corporate communications, Gujarat Maritime Board did not comment on the issue. Vibrant Gujarat 2009 Summit saw investment commitments to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore in the port sector of which Rs 10,000 crore were for shipyard projects. “All these projects are at various stages of implementation,” he added.

Last year, a delegation led by Oman commerce minister Maqbook Ali Sultan along with representatives from Port of Sohar and Port of Rotterdam held a meeting with chief minister Narendra Modi to discuss the future course of action for Positra port. The delegation members had invited Modi to visit Sohar city.