Ashapura Ports' Second Jetty By September

Ashapura Ports, a division of Ashapura Minechem is constructing a second jetty at Mandvi port in Gujarat which is expected to be operational by September, 1997.

The company is already managing one jetty at Mundra under a contract with the Gujarat Maritime Board.

The cargo handling capacity will go upto one million tonne from the present 0.5 million tonne after the construction of the new jetty, according to a press release issued by the company . Ashapura is currently investing Rs 20 crore in both Mandvi and Mundra ports.

Mandvi at present is capable of handling 3000 to 4000 tonne of cargo per day. The port has mechanical handling systems comprising three conveyor systems each of 300 tonne capacity.

Besides, it owns three tugs capable of towing two loaded barges at a time and eight barges of 500 tonne each. The port also has its own generator. The stacking area consists of a 6,000 square metre pucca concrete platform and 10,000 square metre concrete stacking area.

Ashapura Ports is estimated to generate a turnover of 12 crore in its first year of operations, the release added.

The Mandvi port which was commissioned in September, 1996 is has already handled 80,000 tonne of cargo.

Exporters and importers from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are expected to benefit due to the congestion at major ports, as they can avoid paying demurrage.