Kandla Port Trust registered a slight increase in its throughput for calendar year 2011, handling 81.36 million tonnes as against 81.22 million tonnes in calendar year 2010. The Port had handled 81.88 million tonnes in fiscal 2010-11.

KPT has thus taken another step towards achieving a throughput of 100 million tonnes in two years, which the chairman, Dr PD Vaghela, had projected in November when the Union Shipping Minister, Mr GK Vasan had laid the foundation stones for a number of infrastructure augmentation projects.

The Minister had launched the development of three new berths 13, 15 and 16 through public-private partnership. Berth number 13 is being developed by RAS Infraport Pvt Ltd, 15 by JRE Infra Pvt Ltd and 16 by PSL Infrastructure & Ports Pvt Ltd, at an estimated cost of INR 544 crore. These berths will have total handling capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum.

According to the chairman, the draught at the berths will be 12.5 meters, which will be increased to 13 meters after one year, facilitating the berthing of Panamax size vessels.

Mr Vasan also laid the foundation stone for the barge jetty of IFFCO Kisan Bazar & Logistic Ltd, of capacity 2 million tonnes per annum. The jetty is being developed at an estimated cost of INR 27 crore.

The Port presently has 11 dry cargo berths, six jetties for liquid cargo and two single buoy moorings at the Vadinar offshore oil terminal.

Kandla Port is also augmenting road and rail connectivity and storage facilities.

(Sourced from Exim News Service)