Maritime Board invites EoIs for development of five ports in state

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the nodal agency for development of the ports sector in Gujarat, has now invited expression of interest (EoI) for development of four ports on greenfield sites on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

The board has also invited an EoI for development of a port in the joint sector.

GMB and the state government have been jointly trying to invite private sector participation in the port sector in Gujarat for the last five years but besides development of Mundra Port by the Ahmedabad-based Adani Group, private sector participation in this prospective sector has yet been remained a slack.

The port sites to be developed through private sector participation are identified as Vansi Borsi, Mithivirdi, Simar and Maroli ports while Bedi port which is now being handled by GMB but still in a very small stage as far as handling of cargoes concerned, has been proposed to be developed through a private-public sector participation as the board wants to hold back its stake in this port, considered to be one of the most potential ports in the country.

The GMB had completed technical feasibility studies for all the four port locations put up on the block for private sector participation while a detailed project study for the Bedi port through reputed international consultants was carried out in 1996-97.

Simar port, located in Junagadh district, is identified by the GMB as a power port that can be used extensively for handling liquefied natural gas. Power plants are likely to be considered in this location in future.

The port, which had handled 4.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2001-02, is expected to handle 9 million tonnes of cargo in 2006. This is expected to rise further in next few years.

According to a source close to the GMB, Simar port can attract private participation not only because of its locational advantages but also for the tide and water condition of the sea near this port.

For filing an EoI, the GMB has decided to accept applications till June 15. The date has been extended from the earlier deadline of April 30. The board was forced to extend the deadline because of lacklustre response from the private sector.

Earlier, the board had decided to develop infrastructure in minor ports across the state at an estimated expense of more than Rs 200 crore which would be spent during the current fiscal year.

The GMB also has undertaken major civil and mechanical projects for the Alang ship breaking yard, which is one of the world's largest ship-breaking yards.

Major activities are planned to upgrade and develop the Navlakhi Port which is solely being handled by the GMB and bringing in cash for the board.

The GMB is now implementing the Navlakhi Master Plan in which works like construction of a berthing jetty to accommodate two vessels of size 2500 MT DWT in Sui Creek and another berth to accommodate one vessel of 500 MT DWT in Varsha Medi Creek will be included.

The plan for Navlakhi will alone cost the board more than Rs 50 crore which is one of the major projects undertaken under this infrastructure development plan initiated by the GMB.