The Hindu Business Line : GTI emerges leader in container handling

Chennai, Feb. 3 The Gateway Terminals India (GTI), a successful model of public-private-partnership in the domestic maritime sector, has become the country’s top container port. It has pushed the long-time leader Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), a private container terminal run by the Dubai-based DP World, to the second spot.

In the calendar year 2008, the GTI handled 15.1 lakh TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units), a 28 per cent increase in volume over the previous year. NSICT was second with a handling of 14.7 lakh TEUs, same as 2007.

“Yes, this is the first time that GTI has become the top container port. Ever since GTI commenced its operations in March 2006, it has been our endeavour to create new benchmarks in the terminal industry to facilitate Indian trade,” said Mr Arvind Bhatnagar, CEO, Gateway Terminals.

The GTI is a joint venture company of A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S and Container Corporation of India Ltd. It has signed a license agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to build and operate for the 30 years a common user container terminal at Nhava Sheva.

The country’s total container traffic in 2008 increased by 9.5 per cent to reach 79.4 lakh TEUs.

The Chennai Container Terminal, also run by DP World, has moved up to the third place in 2008 from fourth. It handled 12 lakh TEUs in 2008, a 14 per cent increase over 2007. JNPT moved down to fourth from second. Mr Bhatnagar said in 2008 GTI achieved records like national berth productivity record of 188 moves/hour; 3 million TEUs handled in less than three years of operation; inland container depot operations of 180 TEU in 15 minutes and handling of 12 trains in a single day.

“GTI stands as the most thriving model of public private partnership in the Indian maritime sector. This PPP brings best of both private and public sectors — APM Terminal’s proven global expertise and business acumen and Concor’s knowledge and experience of Indian rail logistics sector,” he told Business Line.

When asked whether the terminal would have the same momentum this year, Mr Bhatnagar said, “In the current scenario, we are enhancing our infrastructure to augment our services and increase productivity. In doing so, we are bracing ourselves to meet the challenges in the near future.”

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