PSA is expanding capacity to be future ready and provide world class logistics infrastructure on the west coast
Development of world class infrastructure to boost international trade and give impetus to ‘Make in India’ programme has been among the key focus areas of the government. On this ambitious journey, JNPT is taking every step to be future ready and contribute to Government of India’s vision of Port led development under Sagarmala Programme. Keeping in line with this, JNPT is all set to double its container handling capacity with addition of its New 4th terminal which has been completed in a record time. The foundation stone for the same was laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister in Oct 2015.
“We deliver as we promise! As committed by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the first Phase of the terminal is ready in a record time. Logistics plays a key role in the development of the economy and the government is committed to provide world class logistics and infrastructure facilities so that trade flourishes, says, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways.
The new 4th Container Terminal will add capacity of 24 lakh containers per year in Phase-I and after completion of Phase-II in 2022 the capacity of JNPT will be 100 lakh containers per year.
The Fourth Container Terminal has been developed on Design, Built, Fund, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis for concession period of 30 years with an estimated cost of `7,915 crore. The project is being implemented in two Phases. i.e. Phase –I and Phase –II. The indicative cost of the project for Phase – I is `4,719 crore. The PSA terminal will be able to dock mother vessels, handle the biggest container ships from a quay length of 1 km, and cranes that can reach 22 rows wide or greater. This Terminal will be linked to the dedicated rail freight corridor and will be able to receive about 350 containers per rake. The facility will also have provision for storing 1,600 reefer (refrigerated) containers to handle agricultural and horticulture produce.
On a separate note, PSA’s Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals (“BMCT”) welcomed Hapag-Lloyd’s “Express Rome,” marking BMCT’s second weekly service call and its first direct Europe service. Express Rome operates Indian Ocean Service linking India and the Middle East directly with the North European ports of Antwerp, Hamburg and London. Its inaugural call at BMCT will be followed by three sister ships from Hapag Lloyd plus three and one vessels respectively from service partners Hamburg-Sud and CMA-CGM. Approximately 3,700 teus were handled during the call at BMCT.
Earlier CMA-CGM’s “Centaurus,” was the first container vessel to berth at BMCT. The vessel operates on the Swahili Express Service (“SWAX”) linking India and East Africa on a fixed day weekly schedule, together with three sister vessels from CMACGM and one from service partner Emirates Shipping Line.
To meet the demands of expanding operations three more quay cranes will arrive at the terminal during first half of 2018, followed by three more in 2019. The completion of Phase 2 construction will bring the terminal to an ultimate capacity of 4.8 million teus.
