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VO Chidambaranar Port Authority in Thoothukudi has entered into a Concession Agreement with JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal Private Ltd, a subsidiary of JSW Infrastructure, to mechanize North Cargo Berth-III (NCB-III) for handling dry bulk cargo. This development is expected to increase the ports capacity by seven million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and is slated for completion by December 2026.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday by Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VO Chidambaranar Port Authority, and Lalit Singhvi, Director and CFO of JSW Infrastructure.
Under the Concession Agreement, JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal Private Ltd will invest approximately ?265.15 crore in mechanizing NCB-III. The project will include installing cargo handling equipment such as shore unloaders, conveyors, and developing the stack yard with a boundary wall, road, and stacker, enabling the terminals successful operation for the next 30 years.
Additionally, the port has initiated the bidding process for dredging NCB-III to a draft of 14.20 meters to accommodate post-Panamax size vessels. The upcoming Dry Bulk Terminal will handle cargoes like coal, limestone, gypsum, and rock phosphate. This project is anticipated to attract more investments, stimulate regional economic development, and create about 500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Chairperson Purohit highlighted that the bulk terminal, with a length of 306 meters and a draft of 14.20 meters, will cater to post-Panamax size vessels with a dead weight tonnage of 80,000 tonnes, allowing importers to benefit from economies of scale.
JSW Infrastructure, one of Indias fastest-growing port-related infrastructure companies, has an installed cargo handling capacity of 170 mtpa across the country. |
