JNPT to be developed as a hub port under Sagarmala project

Sajeev Nair
10 February 2004

Mumbai: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT), the largest transhipment terminal in the country, will be developed as a hub port in the next three years under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's Sagarmala dream project.

The port will be developed with private sector participation with the emphasis on improving infrastructure facilities, deepening of approach channels which would enable a faster turnaround for vessels docking at the port, according to Ravi Buddhiraja, chairman, JNPT.

The Sagarmala Project aims to create a port-studded coastline for India, focusing on developing all major and minor ports in the region, with an outlay of around Rs 100,000 crore.

JNPT is also planning to invest around Rs 600 crore to develop deeper navigation facilities, of which between 10 to 12 per cent will be used for annual maintenance. The approach channel will be deepened to 13.5 metres, which will enable the port to handle fourth and fifth generation container ships, Buddhiraja said.

The channel depth of the port is currently 10.9 metres, with a quayside draft of 13.5 metres, as a result of which it can handle only third generation container ships. "If the port has the capability to handle fourth and fifth generation mother vessels, Indian exporters and importers will not have to tranship their consignment through other countries," says Kishore G Apte, deputy chairman, JNPT.

The projections are based on a feasibility study conducted by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), he said, adding that the development would reduce transshipments at neighbouring ports like Colombo, Singapore and Dubai.