MUMBAI opened its first private offshore US$300 million combo container/roll-on, roll-off terminal, following months of talks about the construction of a new, dedicated container facility being nearing completion.
Construction started in 2009, and was years behind schedule. But instead of continuing to lose revenue, stakeholders decided to put its space to use, reported the Journal of Commerce.
"After the project was delayed due to certain bottlenecks, Mumbai Port Trust (MBT) and concessionaire Indira Container Terminal Pvt Ltd (ICTPL) have come together to put the facility to productive use," the port authority said.
The facility is designed to handle 800,000 TEU in the first phase but as development lags it welcomed the maiden call of car carrier Hoegh Seoul on July 20.
ICTPL is a joint venture between Gammon Infrastructure Projects Ltd and Dragados SPL of Spain.
"With an unoccupied wharf conducive to berthing of vessels and wide space adjacent to the berth, permitting hassle-free loading of vehicles, this alternate use of the facility to handle car carriers would make available quality services to automobile manufacturers using it to export their products to different destinations around the world."
MBT said the alternative ad hoc arrangement would allow the port to expand its vehicle export business and also help decongest its other deep-draft berths such as Ballard Pier Station and Ballard Pier Extension that handle general cargo.
Over the past 15 years, MBT has seen a steady drop in container throughput, from 321,000 TEU in 2000-01 to 45,000 TEU in 2014-15, as all leading mainline container operators in trades to and from India shifted calls to Nhava Sheva, or nearby Jawaharlal Nehru port with its three container terminals.
PORTS
31 July 2015 - 05:41
India's Mumbai port opens first private, offshore box/ro-ro facility
MUMBAI opened its first private offshore US$300 million combo container/roll-on, roll-off terminal, following months of talks about the construction of a new, dedicated container facility being nearing completion.
PORTS
31 July 2015 - 05:41
India's Mumbai port opens first private, offshore box/ro-ro facility
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