The Hindu Business Line : TM Intl to bid again for berths at Paradip

Looking ahead
TMIL also interested in port-related infrastructure projects.
Its Haldia berth to achieve throughput level of 1.4-1.5 million tonnes in 2006-07.

A file photo of the Paradip port

Kolkata , March 22

TM International Logistics (TMIL), a joint venture between Tata Steel and Germany's Martrade, will again bid for the clean cargo berths proposed to be built at the Paradip port, as and when the fresh tender is floated, according to Mr S.C. Saxena, its Managing Director.

The tender earlier floated for these berths by the Paradip Port Trust now stands cancelled and there is a proposal for issuing a fresh tender.

This is because the port authorities have decided to shift the location of the proposed berths. TMIL had bid for the tender earlier too.

"Our focus being on the port operation, we will bid for port projects wherever there are suitable opportunities," Mr Saxena told Business Line, pointing out that his company was also interested in the setting up and running of container terminals, both within the country and outside.

The government rules and regulations in this regard, he felt, should be further liberalised to allow easier access of the private sector firms like TMIL to port projects. The present systems presupposed tardy procedures not always conducive to time-bound implementation, so crucial for success of these projects.

TMIL, he said, was also interested in port-related infrastructure projects such as inland containers depots and container freights stations.

Since Tata Steel was planning major additions to its steel making capacity, it would only make sense for TMIL to participate in port-related infrastructure projects to achieve synergy in operation.

Berth No 12

Mr Saxena, however, pointed out that the berth number 12 at Haldia dock, which had been acquired by TMIL on long-term lease, was handling more items on account of non-Tata Group companies. "The present share will be about 45-55 — 45 per cent on account of Tata Group companies and the 55 per cent non-Tata Group companies — and we would like to step it up further to 60 per cent for non-Tata Group companies in 2006-07," he said.

TMIL's berth at Haldia, as it was pointed out, was posting impressive growth in throughput, so much so that the fiscal 2005-06 might end up with an estimated throughput of 1.25 million tonnes (mt) as compared to less than one mt in 2004-05.

"We crossed one mt-mark by December 2005 and we hope to achieve the throughput level of 1.4-1.5 mt in 2006-07," Mr Saxena added.