Coal news and updates

Construction of Chhara Port to start by Dec: GMB CEO

Construction work of the proposed Chhara Port of Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the state maritime authority, may commence from December 2016, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Amrendra Kumar Rakesh told ICMW on May 23.

Apart from Chhara, construction work on two other proposed ports of GMB in Nargol and Dahej could be started in 2017, he said.

“GMB plans to achieve 864 million tons per annum (mtpa) capacity by 2020 and development of these three ports is part of that roadmap,” Rakesh said.

When completed, these three new ports could add another 59 mtpa to the existing 466 mtpa capacity.

According to Rakesh, Mumbai-based Shapoorji Pallonji would be undertaking work for the Chhara Port in Junagadh and the first phase is expected to be completed within 42 months from the date of commencing. 

The cost of the first phase of the port, which will have a coal terminal of 8 mtpa, is estimated at Rs 1,500 crore, the CEO said.

Moreover, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal would be developed at the proposed Chhara Port, in association with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), under a sub-concession agreement.

The LNG terminal, with a regasification and storage facility, would be developed at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore, while a bulk cargo terminal at Chhara will be developed at an investment of Rs 3,500 crore.

As per GMB, another proposed port at Nargol, which is situated 120 km south of Surat and 140 km north of Mumbai, would be connecting the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is being considered for development as a multi-purpose port capable of handling solid, liquid and container cargoes. Cargo Motors would be developing this proposed port which could be having a handling capacity of 10 mtpa.

According to GMB, the proposed port at Nargol would have a draft of 11-12 metres.

The developers expect to reclaim 75-150 hectares of land for developing the port as well. It is expected that when operational, Nargol could ease the burden on Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

Following Chennai and few other port models, Nargol could be having roll-on-roll-off (RO-RO) service, where passenger and cargo vehicles can be ferried in giant ships.

As per GMB, the third proposed port at Dahej would be developed by Sterling Biotech with total handling capacity of 41 mtpa.