Sical in race to set up deep water port in Orissa

The proposed all-weather port to cost Rs 3,200-3,500 crore

Chennai-based Sical Logistics Ltd is in the race for setting up a deep water port at Barunei Muhan in Orissa. It is vying with three other major companies to bag the Rs 3,200-3,500 crore project.

Sical Logistics managing director LR Sridhar told Business Standard that the company had made a presentation to the state government and was awaiting its response.

The proposed all-weather port would handle cargo like iron ore, steel and coal. The minor port would handle iron ore and coal, which are meant for export and import respectively, Sridhar said.

The three other companies, which have shown interest in the project, include ArcelorMittal, Adhunik Metaliks and SPI Ports Ltd, sources said.

According to Sridhar, the proposed port would have a 20-25 million tonne per annum capacity, which could be extended to 45 mtpa.

Sical Logistics, a provider of multi-modal integrated solutions for the logistics of bulk and containerised cargo has a walk-in berth for ships with bulk cargo in Chennai, container terminal in Tuticorin, and 17 warehouses and container freight stations at three locations in India.

In 2007-08, the company moved nearly 570,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo and 26 million tonnes of bulk cargo.