The shipping of containers had come to a halt in 2012 due to lack of capacity at JN Port
PSA International-led Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Pvt Ltd (BMCT), which is constructing the fourth terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JN Port), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with multi-modal transport operator PNP Maritime Services Pvt Ltd (PNP) to handle container services between Dharamtar Port and the under-construction terminal.
The barge service, likely to start by year-end, will seamlessly connect Dharamtar Port near Alibaug in Maharashtra with JN Port in Navi Mumbai, saving cost and time for cargo owners.
In 2012, the shipping of containers between Dharamtar and JN Port had come to a halt due to lack of port capacity at the latter. With the first phase of the fourth terminal scheduled to get commissioned by year-end, the services will resume.
As per the plans, PNP Maritime Services will restart a daily service between its facility in Dharamtar and BMCT, with an 80-twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) barge.
"Providing barging services to key cargo zones such as Dharamtar is one of the many reasons why BMCT will be a game changer for India's port and logistics market, given its unprecedented size, scale and dedicated infrastructural links," said Suresh Amirapu, chief executive of BMCT.
Sachin Tipnis, director of PNP Maritime Services said, "Restarting the barge service between BMCT and Dharamtar will provide a major boost to shippers in Alibaug-Raigad areas of Maharashtra. This is a large cargo catchment area with an annual market of over 80,000 TEUs. Together with the increasing amount of direct port delivery, this service will allow cargo owners to transfer their cargos faster and in more cost effectively manner than truck."
DNA Money, in September 8 edition, had reported on PSA International's plans to commission JN Port's fourth terminal in December to handle a million TEUs. In the following years, the capacity will be consistently increased.
Mike Formoso, managing director, PSA had said, "We have built around 500 metres of quay. We are going to finish 1,000 metres of quay, rail tracks and buildings as part of entire first phase."
A quay is a platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.
At the moment, six quay cranes will handle the initial million TEUs. The initial six cranes have already been installed at the terminal. Six more quay cranes will be added during 2018-19. Three quay cranes each are expected to arrive in 2018 and 2019, thereby increasing the capacity under the first phase to 2.4 million TEUs.
The project's second phase involves adding another kilometre of quay to double the capacity to a total of 4.8 million TEUs. Start of operations for the second phase will be by 2021-end, with further 12 quay cranes that will be added.
...& ANALYSIS
- The barge service will provide a major boost to shippers in Alibaug-Raigad areas
- This is a large cargo catchment area with an annual market of over 80,000 TEUs
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