KoPT to go for massive cargo containerisation

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Kolkata, Apr 15 : The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) will float a request for qualification (RFQ) in May for the Rs 500 crore Diamond Harbour dock systems, which will be its third dock systems after Kolkata and Haldia.

The deep draughted dock system, which is supposed to have five berths with a dedicated container terminal, is expected to attract at least 1.1 million TEUs.

KoPT chairman Anup Chanda said a dedicated container terminal at Diamond Harbour and a second log gate in the Haldia port has been planned to enhance KoPT's long term growth. The plans are in line with the recommendations of the shipping ministry constituted high-power committee that wants KoPT to go for massive containerisation of cargo.

In fact, containerisation has been a global trend and 50% of the global cargo has been containerised. But India is way back in this respect.

However, KoPT's plans in this fiscal also include installation of a mobile harbour crane investing Rs 50 crore at Netaji Subhas dock, which will help in faster handling of cargo as well as reduce turnaround time.

Chanda said KoPT is setting up one more container freight station at Sonai next month and two more at Paharpur and JJP within the next six months in a private public partnership model. Each container freight station will cost around Rs 25 crore.

KoPT has two freight stations at present.

While Century Ply will develop the freight stations at Sonai and JJP on 6 acre and 20 acre respectively, LMJ International will develop Paharpur freight station on 17 acres, Chanda said.