The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has decided to enhance cargo-handling capacity from its present 55 million tonnes (MT) to about 90MT in the next few years. It also expects about 14MT of iron and steel from new projects that are coming up in the region. In 2007-08, KoPT expects to handle 60MT of cargo against 55MT handled in 2006-07.
Increase in demand at KoPT, mainly Haldia Port, is likely to more than offset the decline in cargo, especially after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) starts transporting oil through its pipeline it is setting up. However, the ministry of petroleum has assured KoPT that IOC will import end-products from the refinery.
Giving out the details of an increase in capacity, KoPT’s chairman A K Chanda said: “At Haldia, we are in the process of adding 20 MT of cargo-handling capacity. At Kolkata Port, capacity will be enhanced to 11MT while the proposed Diamond Harbour port will have a capacity of about 6MT.”
Currently, KoPT is in the process of increasing efficiency of cargo-handling capacity at Kolkata port from 8,000 tonnes per day to 20,000 tonnes per day.
Detailing on the expected rise in demand from cargo from the east, Mr Chanda said: “JSW, IISCO, NTPC, Jai Balaji, Adhunik, etc will create substantial demand for cargo at Haldia port and we are preparing ourselves to handle the demand.”
Increase in demand at KoPT, mainly Haldia Port, is likely to more than offset the decline in cargo, especially after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) starts transporting oil through its pipeline it is setting up. However, the ministry of petroleum has assured KoPT that IOC will import end-products from the refinery.
Giving out the details of an increase in capacity, KoPT’s chairman A K Chanda said: “At Haldia, we are in the process of adding 20 MT of cargo-handling capacity. At Kolkata Port, capacity will be enhanced to 11MT while the proposed Diamond Harbour port will have a capacity of about 6MT.”
Currently, KoPT is in the process of increasing efficiency of cargo-handling capacity at Kolkata port from 8,000 tonnes per day to 20,000 tonnes per day.
Detailing on the expected rise in demand from cargo from the east, Mr Chanda said: “JSW, IISCO, NTPC, Jai Balaji, Adhunik, etc will create substantial demand for cargo at Haldia port and we are preparing ourselves to handle the demand.”