Sical Logistics Ltd is exploring alternative use of its iron ore terminal at Ennore port. While the terminal is ready for commercial operations, it could not commence operations due to the ban imposed by the Karnataka Government on mining and transporting of iron ore from the State.

Sical Iron Ore Terminals Ltd, which is a special purpose vehicle company formed to manage the project, has developed a six million tonnes iron ore terminal at the country's first corporatised port.

Sical Logistics' annual report for the year 2010-11 said that Sical Iron Ore is promoted by Sical Logistics with 89% equity stake and L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd.

The terminal, for which the company has signed an agreement with Ennore Port in July 2006, is being developed on a build-operate transfer, revenue-sharing contract with Ennore Port for 30 years, including the construction period.

The terminal will have a capacity for 12 mt cargo a year.

Facilities include a jetty, ship loader, mechanised handling system with conveyor, storage, and wagon unloading system.

Initially, the terminal was built to handle panamax and cape size vessels up to 150,000 dead weight tonnes; after dredging, the terminal would be able to handle vessels of 250,000 DWT.

Other features include the capability of an average 75,000-tonne/day ship loading rate; a stockpile area that can store 2.4 million tonne iron ore; and a railway wagon unloading system that can handle up to twelve 3,500 tonne rakes a day.

(Sourced from BL)