The Hindu Business Line : JNPT: On course to becoming hub port

EARLIER this month the Jawaharlal Nehru Port crossed a significant milestone when it surpassed the target of handling one million TEUs prescribed by the Ministry of Shipping for 2003-04. More importantly, both the JNPT terminal and the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), operated by P&O Ports India, together handled two million TEUs, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of India's container traffic.

Encouraged by the growth in throughput, JNPT has now set itself a long-term goal of handling 100 million tonnes, including 7.3 million TEUs of container traffic by 2019-20. Says Mr Ravi Budhiraja, JNPT chairman: "We have prepared a clear road-map to achieve this goal.

By the end of the Tenth Plan period (2006-07), we expect to handle a throughput of about 39 million tonnes, including container traffic of 2.73 million TEUs. By the end of the 11th Plan, we should be handling 63 million tonnes, including container throughput of 4.6 million TEUs and by 2016-17, the throughput should go up to 97 million tonnes, including 6.8 million TEUs of container traffic."

Indeed, the port is well on its way to becoming a major container hub in this part of the world. What is significant about the achievement is that it could notch up a throughput of two million tones, despite being confronted with several constraints.

The major constraint being the low depth and width of the existing channel, which is not adequate to handle deep-draught vessels that a hub port needs to service.

A senior port official points out: "The depth in front of the berths can be increased to 16.5 metres for the first, second and third terminals. Subsequent to this, there are constraints in view of stability of the existing structure and maximum permissible operating wheel load of quay cranes."

Another constraint is that of the total area of 2,584 hectares available with the port, 1,461 hectares cannot be utilised due to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations. The port has been seeking permission to make use of the available land, for otherwise the required back-up facilities cannot be developed. Also, the existing road width and single-track rail line is inadequate to handle the projected rise in throughput. However, the port is going ahead with its expansion programme. It has sharpened its focus on the proposed Rs 2,500-crore project to deepen and widen the main harbour channel.

In the first phase, the depth of the channel will be increased from the existing 11 metres to 13.9 metres and the length from 28.2 km to 33.55 km, involving capital dredging of 48.57 million cubic metres at a cost of Rs 640 crore.

In the second phase, the depth and length of the channel will be increased to 16.1 metres and 38 km respectively, involving capital dredging of 112 million cubic metres at a cost of Rs 1,830 crore.

While the first phase will enable ships of 6,000 TEUs only with tidal window, the completion of the second phase will allow 6,000 TEU vessels at all times and 9,000 TEU vessels with tidal window.

The port has laid out a 20-year integrated development project, which involves an outlay of Rs 11,400 crore — this will be shared by the port, private BOT operators and railways to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore, Rs 7,000 crore and Rs 400 crore respectively.

The expansion programme involves development of a third container terminal at a cost of Rs 900 crore, fourth container terminal with an investment of Rs 1,550 crore by 2016, fifth container terminal at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore by 2020 and a marine chemical terminal for Rs 3,000 crore by 2016, apart from other projects to improve the road and rail connectivity and deployment of additional equipment.

While the fourth and fifth container terminals will have a capacity of three million TEUs and 2.5 milion TEUs respectively, the marine chemical terminal will have a capacity of 15 million tonnes.

The port is expected to get a significant boost after the Special Economic Zone is set up by CIDCO in the adjoining area of the port. The SEZ scheme seeks to create simple and transparent systems for enhancing productivity. The zone is to be set up on an area of 4,377 hectares, of which the port will contribute 300 hectares.