Chennai port getting ready to shift coal, iron to Ennore

The Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) is getting ready to possibly move coal and iron ore to the nearby Ennore Port following a direction from the Madras High Court.

There was enough indication of this shift even as the Shipping Minister, Mr G.K. Vasan, asking the ChPT officials to chalk out a strategy to improve the traffic at the port in the context of a possible shifting of the two cargoes to Ennore.

The strategy was discussed in detail and the potential for alternative cargoes was also assessed. The Minister reviewed the impact of the judgement on the future of Chennai port, according to a ChPT press release.

Step up marketing efforts

The Madras High Court had directed the ChPT to move dusty cargo to Ennore from October 1.

In fact, in a review meeting at Ennore Port Ltd (EPL), Mr Vasan asked officials to step up marketing efforts to attract coal that is being shifted from Chennai port. The Minister also advised the ChPT evolving of a strategy to counter the challenges faced by the ports from the neighbouring Government and private ports. Reviewing the performance of Chennai port with the Chairman and senior ChPT officials, Mr Vasan fixed specific deadlines for all the development projects and directed the Chennai and Ennore port officials to adhere to the deadlines.

He also directed that humanitarian assistance should be given by Chennai port to the crew of OSM Arena, the abandoned ship lying at outer anchorage, the release says.

The Minister reviewed major development projects proposed by the ChPT during the current financial year and the entire Plan period. These included projects being implemented through the public private partnership route such as mega container terminal; Rajiv Gandhi dry port at Mappedu, ro-ro berth and multilevel car park and a barge jetty.

Road connectivity projects

Mr Vasan also held a joint review of the Chennai Ennore Port connectivity project and elevated four lane link road from the port to Maduravoyal with the stakeholders - the ChPT, Ennore Port Ltd, National Highways Authority of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. Mr Vasan took stock of the proposed LNG terminal being planned to be set up at Ennore port.

He emphasised the importance of this project for Tamil Nadu and directed that EPL should pursue the project closely with Indian Oil Corporation, according to an official release.

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