Kolkata Port to boost container handling with new mobile cranes

Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has announced a major capacity boost at its container terminal with the deployment of two new high-capacity mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) at the Netaji Subhas Dock (NSD), part of the Kolkata Dock System (KDS).

An issued statement read that this move will raise the total number of MHCs at KDS to six, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time.The two cranes, to be deployed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), are powered by electricity—marking a shift towards greener, more sustainable port operations. As part of this eco-conscious initiative, SMPK is also setting up high-capacity electric power supply infrastructure within the dock premises to support the functioning of these cranes.

Rathendra Raman, chairman of SMP Kolkata, described the upgrade as a “paradigm shift” in operational strategy. “The deployment of these energy-efficient, electric mobile harbour cranes represents a significant leap towards sustainable port operations,” he said. He added that the move will play a critical role in strengthening Kolkata’s position as a major container-handling hub on India’s eastern seaboard.

The additional MHCs are expected to increase KDS’s annual container handling capacity to 7.5 lakh Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) in FY 2025-26. In comparison, KDS handled 6.19 lakh TEUs during FY 2024–25.

Raman extended his gratitude to the APSEZ team in Kolkata and acknowledged the contributions of SMPK employees who have worked diligently to make this development possible. “This is a remarkable step forward and I appreciate my colleagues who have been tirelessly working towards the port’s progression,” he said.

The commissioning of the two cranes is expected in the coming months. Once operational, they will not only improve the overall productivity of NSD but also reinforce SMP Kolkata’s role as a key gateway for maritime trade in the eastern region.