ABG-LDA plans door-to-door cargo handling solutions thru Vizag, Tuticorin, Haldia ports

ABG-LDA Bulk Handling Pvt Ltd - a joint venture between Mumbai head-quartered ABG Group and French logistics major, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) - is planning to launch door-to-door dry-bulk cargo handling solutions through Vizag, Tuticorin and Haldia ports.

The company has already firmed up plans to launch the services for import cargo through Vizag port by 2012.

According to Mr Gurpreet Malhi, Chief Executive Officer, ABG-LDA, the company will invest a total of approximately Rs 100 crore in creating the necessary handling facilities – including dumpers and IT solutions - at all three ports.

“We are primarily looking forward to handle coal and other such dry bulk imports mostly for power and cements plants. In the first phase we will offer port-to-plant solutions,” Mr Malhi said.

Consumers located within 250 kms will enjoy the option of road-transportation.

On the timeline for launching such services through Haldia and Tuticorin, Mr Malhi said that the company was in discussion with the potential clients in and around both the ports.

“Once discussions are through, we are likely to offer similar logistic services there,” he said.

Currently ABG-LDA, carry out dry bulk handling operations at six ports including Haldia, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Paradip, Tuticorin and Mangalore.

The joint venture has secured the order for construction and operation of a coal and coke handling berth at Vizag.

Work is on at Tuticorin to create berthing facility to handle 14 million tonne of coal annually.

The two berths together is estimated to require an investment of Rs 600 crore.

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