- MSC CINDY with draft of 15.6 mts is the deepest vessel to dock at JNPT.
Two critical parameters that define the calibre of any Port is its operational efficiency and handling capacity, amongst many other Port- led-functions related to the maritime business. JNPT has systemically invested in enhancing these critical parameters over the three decades and today has not only consolidated its position as the number one container Port in India but also is ranked 28th container Port in the world, and is the only Indian Port amongst the top 30 container Ports globally.
On the Port capacity expansion front, there are many initiatives undertaken by JNPT but the most recent and important one was, dredging of the navigational channel. The dredging of the navigational channel from 14 mts to 15 mts allows larger vessels upto 12,500 TEUs to berth at the Port.Apart from increasing the depth of the channel, the dredging project also included increasing the width from 370m to 450m and increasing the channel length by 2 kms making it 35.5 km. This strategic development was made keeping in mind the global market trend of deploying larger vessels to carry more consignments at a time, so now JNPT is better equipped to handle these new generation vessels.
This has equipped JNPT to handle larger vessels and in the last 3 months JNPT has handled vessels with drafts more than 15 mts like MSC TOPAZ (draft of 15 mts), CSCL YELLOW SEA (draft of 15.3 mts), MSC FRANCESCA (draft of 15.3 mts) and RDO CONCERT (draft of 15 mts) which docked at JNPT recently. Last week, JNPT docked vessel MSC SINDY (draft of 15.6 mts) at NSIGT, which is the deepest vessel ever, to berth at this Port.
Speaking on this strategic development, Shri Sanjay Sethi, Chairman, JNPT said, “Our main focus is reducing the transaction cost and time for the EXIM Trade, Dredging of the navigational channelis one of the most important initiative towards it. Trade will benefit through optimal utilization of capacity,saving in Vessel waiting time, faster turnaround of larger vessels and Incremental regional economic development and spin-off economic benefits.This strategic move is also critical in order to strengthen our presence in the global market and supports our endeavour to be a future ready Port.”
JNPT is on course to be amongst the top 15 Ports globally with the completion of the development of the Fourth Terminal, and with the ability to now handle larger vessels and the seamless integration of technology into Port operations which will enhance the overall Port efficiency, JNPT is already sailing towards being amongst the best Ports globally.
