Kandla port to have 4 new general cargo berths

The Kandla Port will have up to an additional 4 multipurpose cargo (other than liquid/container cargo) berths once a Rs750-core BOT project is completed.

The cabinet committee on infrastructure today gave its approval for implementation of the project - development of 13th 14th, 15th and 16th multipurpose cargo berths.

Of the total estimated cost of Rs755.50 crore, the cost to the `build, operate and transfer' operator would be Rs728.84 crore. The Kandla Port Trust would bear an estimated Rs26.66 crore within a period of 24 months from date of award of the concession.

The aggregate capacity of the four berths would be 8 million tonnes per annum for catering to 75,000 DWT parcel size vessels having draught of 14 meters.

The implementation of the project would enable the Kandla port to handle additional quantity of 8 million tonnes of dry cargo per annum.

The Kandla port would be able to handle deep draught vessels of up to 14-meter draught with parcel seize of 75,000 DWT for the first time.

Besides decongestion the port, the creation of four additional berths would help reduce freight charges by handling larger parcel size vessels.

This will also boost the already booming trade out of the industrial economy in the hinterland of the port and lead to increased employment opportunities.