KoPT joins hand with L&T to ramp up capacity

Kolkata: The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has engaged L&T Consultancy to prepare a master plan for expanding its capacity to 90 million tonnes per annum in a period of four to five years. The move is set to cater to the demand trend of cargo that is expected to go up manifold in five to ten years from now.

"Currently the capacity of KoPT is 62 million tonnes. However, with the demand trend and indications from the port users, we have engaged L&T Consultancy for a master plan to ramp up the cargo handling capacity to 90 million tonnes in 4-5 years. We have to be ready to cater to this additional cargo, as otherwise they will shift to other neighbouring ports," KoPT chairman Vinit Kumar said on the sidelines of a roadshow in the city for the proposed Maritime Conclave 2019.

According to Kumar, KoPT has plans to increase Haldia's capacity to 65 million tonnes from the existing 45 million tonnes and Kolkata Dock's capacity to 25 million tonnes from the current capacity of 17-18 million tonnes. KoPT has already undertaken capacity expansion by having liquid outer terminals I and II in Haldia. Kumar's plan of ramping up the capacity assumes significance with Steel Authority of India (SAIL) Executive Director L N Mallik speaking of their plan to increase production. Mallik had asked the ports to take measures for ensuring enhanced infrastructure to handle higher quantities of raw materials and finished goods. Two other leading steel companies are also taking measures to augment production.

"Both Kolkata and Haldia have a good connectivity of road and rail network. So if we can achieve our target then we have bright days ahead," a senior KoPT official said.

According to Kumar, KoPT will soon float a tender for dredging the Kolkata Dock Complex for a period of 4 years, with an expenditure of Rs 88 crore. The dredging at Haldia Dock Complex has already begun. This will increase the draft of the river, encouraging big vessels to handle cargo through KoPT.

Shipping ministry director (ports) Arvind Chaudhary said investment interests to the tune of USD 20 billion could be expected from the proposed Maritime Conclave, to be held in Bhubaneswar on February 14-15.