Gujarat is going against the tide and twirled the wheels of fortune gaining success for itself and harvesting huge benefits. The enormous success of Gujarat ports today is the result of proactive governance and timely initiatives taken by Gujarat Maritime Board, Daily Shipping Times reported.
Gujarat Maritime Board is achieving highest traffic volumes of all non-major ports, adding new capacity to its coastline year by year and taking Gujarat ports to unprecedented heights.
In 2011-12 fiscal year, despite of global slowdown, the Gujarat Ports handled a total of 259 million tonnes of traffic up from 231 million tonnes in 2010-11 with the astonishing growth rate of 12.19%. Traffic handling capacity has recorded 13.73% growth rate from 284 million tonnes per annum to 323 million tonnes per annum in 2011-12. Developmental work like Coal terminal for UMPP at Mundra, Second SPM and crude oil terminal at Mundra, Solid Cargo Terminal (II phase)at Dahej, SBM for export of crude at Bhogat created new capacities. It is envisioned that by 2015-16, GMB ports will have traffic handling capacity of more than 500 million tonnes per annum and of more than 1000 million tonnes by 2020.
The traffic has increased in most of the ports like Bhavnagar, Okha, Bedi, Navlakhi, Magdalla/Hazira, Mundra, Pipavav, Dahej, Porbandar, Sikka etc. by registering growth of 179%, 41.28%, 28.42%, 27.15%, 16.51%, 24.87%, 18.46%, 23.46%, 26.83%, 2.29% respectively.
At ship recycling yard at Alang, current fiscal records highest number of 415 ships with the 38.60 million tonnes LDT against 28.20 million tonnes LDT in 2010-11. This year the yard breaks the record of 361 ships with 30.40 lacs tonnes LDT of 1998-99. Alang Ship Recycling Yard of the GMB having Toxic Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) for treatment of hazardous and non hazardous waste. Ship Recycling Process itself is an eco and environmental friendly industrial activity, which is not only generating re-rollable steel but also provides by direct and indirect employment. Safety & Labour welfare Institute at Alang received – ISO 9001/2008 certificate.
To continue swiftness with the rising traffic, GMB has taken up various initiatives like Marine Shipbuilding Parks, Ro Ro Ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej, Port Security, Integrated planning and development of Port Cities etc which will ensure integrated development of ports and port related industry in safe and environment friendly way.
Today, Gujarat ports sector is a promising sector churning immense opportunities for investors. GMB has undertaken dedicated efforts to develop various port sub-sectors on a priority basis creating a plethora of opportunities for investment such as development of new specialised Greenfield ports, Port mechanization, Port services, Shipbuilding and Repairing, Coastal shipping Rail-road connectivity, Port based Special Economic Zones, logistic parks and industrial parks, Ferry services, Bunkering Maritime Institutes etc.