The Hindu Business Line : New Mangalore Port charts new growth plans

Under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), the port plans to create more berths and other related infrastructure during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.

Mangalore, the coastal industrial city of Karnataka, is on the growth path with many units betting big on the region. While some of the existing units in Mangalore are mulling capacity expansion, new players are planning to enter the region with huge investments. The presence of a major port catering to their needs is a key advantage.

The region is set to witness huge growth in port-based industries, if the proposed investment and capacity expansion plans of various companies are any indication. While Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) is planning to upgrade its refining capacity, Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd is building a 1015-MW thermal power unit in the nearby Udupi district. Numerous projects are also planned in the Mangalore SEZ and wind power company Suzlon is putting up an SEZ in Udupi district.

The New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) is also gearing to meet the future needs and the focus is on creating more facilities for users.

More Berths

Under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), the port plans to create more berths and other related infrastructure during the EleventhPlan. The port, which has the capacity to handle 38 million tonnes of cargo a year, plans to handle 60 million tonnes by 2011-12.

According to the blueprint, the port wants to construct three berths at the new western dock arm, one for thermal, one for project cargo, and one multi-purpose, all with a draught of 14 metres. The port will also have a berth for POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant) cargo.

Sources told Business Line that consultants have submitted reports on the construction of the berths. The need for the additional berths is justified with the good occupancy level at berth No.14, which was commissioned in February 2006. During 2006-07, this berth alone handled 3.68 million tonnes of cargo. The reason is the berth has a draught of 14 metres and can accommodate bigger vessels. In the previous financial year, berth no.14 accommodated 89 vessels. This indicates that more berths with deep draught will help bring more vessels to the port, thus helping the port-based industries in the region.

Some of the major projects such as MRPL's upgradation of the refinery and Nagarjuna's power unit are likely to be operational by 2010.

Corporate Plans

In a recent interview to Business Line, Mr Praveer Sinha, Chief Operating Officer of Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd, said the coal-based thermal power plant of the company would supply power to Karnataka in the last quarter of 2009.

The company plans to use imported coal for its 1015-MW unit at Padubidri in Udupi district, and it is planning to use the facilities at New Mangalore Port. After commissioning, this thermal power company alone is likely to contribute three million tonnes of cargo a year to the total traffic of the port.

MRPL, one of the major refineries in the country, wants to upgrade its refining capacity from 9.69 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 15 MTPA by 2010. The refinery, which recorded the highest ever throughput of 12.51 MT during 2006-07, contributes a major share to the total cargo handled at the port. The company may require additional facilities for handling its cargo with refinery upgradation.

The port is also expecting growth in handling project cargoes in the coming years and to meet the requirements then it is envisaging the construction of a project cargo berth.

The growth in bulk and break-bulk cargoes in the past few years has made the port look to the construction of a multi-purpose general cargo berth to meet the needs of this category. The port will use its own internal resources for the construction of the POL and general cargo berth. The other two berths will be on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Cruise Terminal

In its efforts to provide better facilities to cruise vessels, NMPT has begun work on the creation of a cruise terminal at the port. During the last financial year, 18 cruise vessels called at the port, surpassing the earlier record of 14 vessels handled during 2000-01.

As many as 3,048 cruise passengers visited the port during the period. The port handled eight passenger vessels during 2004-05 and four passenger vessels during 2005-06. Mr P. Tamilvanan, NMPT Chairman, told Business Line that the cruise terminal would be ready for use by July this year.

To facilitate smooth movement of rail-bound cargo, a railway line is also being planned inside the port. The port has already deposited money with the Railways for this project.

A perfect mix of infrastructure — both inside and outside the port — and adequate development of industrial infrastructure will definitely take Mangalore to a new high in the development map of the country.