JNPT to nearly double container handling capacity to 10 mn TEUs by 2022

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) will nearly double its container-handling capacity with the setting up of a fourth container terminal. The new FCT will add a capacity of 24 lakh containers (or twenty-foot equivalent units) per year in Phase-I and after completion of Phase-II in 2022, the capacity of JNPT will be 10 million containers per year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the fourth container terminal of JNPT in Mumbai  tomorrow.

The fourth container terminal has been constructed on design, build, fund, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis for a concession period of 30 years at an estimated cost of Rs7,915 crore. The indicative cost of the project for Phase – I is Rs4,719 crore. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2015, and it has been completed in record time.

The terminal will have deepest berths enabling it to handle ''Mother Ships''. It will be able to handle the biggest container ships from a quay length of 1km, and cranes that can reach over 22 rows wide. It will be able to handle three container ships at one go with sufficient yard space.

This terminal will be linked to the dedicated rail freight corridor and will be able to receive about 350 containers per rake. The rail facilities will be the largest in India with the only on-dock Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) compliant facility in India, capable of handling 1.5 km long, 360 TEU container trains on completion of the DFC. The facility will also have provision for storing 1,600 reefer (refrigerated) containers to handle agricultural and horticulture produce.

The terminal is part of the government's effort to develop world class infrastructure to boost international trade and give impetus to 'Make in India' programme. It will also contribute to the government's vision of port-led development under Sagarmala programme.

''The first phase of the terminal is ready in a record time. Logistics play a key role in the development of the economy and the government is committed to provide world class logistics and infrastructure facilities so that trade flourishes,'' Nitin Gadkari, minister of shipping, road transport and highway and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation said.

Under Sagarmala, 101 projects worth Rs2,50,000 crore have been planned in Maharashtra.

Out of these, five projects have already been completed and 58 projects are under various stages of development.

According to an official release, "JNPT, under the ministry of shipping is engaged in creating an enabling environment to encourage trade and the completion of the 4th terminal reinforces the government's commitment to create a hassle-free business environment for the export-import community."