APSEZ commissions 20 MTPA bulk terminal in Kutch

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), part of the $9.4 billion (Rs 58,300 crore roughly) Adani Group, has commissioned a 20-million tonnes per annum (MTPA) bulk terminal at Tuna Tekra, Kandla Port in Kutch.

The terminal was inaugurated on Tuesday by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari post berthing of the project's first vessel MV Sheng Ming.

"The terminal was completed within the stipulated time frame. The dry bulk cargo handling terminal facilities includes a T-shaped jetty with four bulk berths, a vessel handling capacity of 100,000 DWT with (-) 16.2 m CD dredged depth and a capacity of 20 MMTPA," APSEZ stated in an official communique.

The Adani Group company also stated that the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Adani Kandla Bulk Terminal Pvt. Ltd (AKBTPL) initiated by a consortium led by APSEZ after winning the contract in June 2012 developed the terminal.

"We expect the terminal to be a game-changer for Export Import trade of the Northwest hinterland of India, thanks to its strategic location. Add to it Adani Group's infrastructural prowess, speed of execution and operational efficiencies," said Karan Adani, Executive Director, APSEZ.

Meanwhile, set to benefit states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, among others, the terminal is connected to the National Highway grid through NH-8A coming from Ahmedabad via Wankaner, Morbi and terminates at the Kandla Port.