Adani Scores Kolkata Port Deal: Secures 5-Year Contract for Container Terminal

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has secured a five-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the container facility at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, formerly known as Kolkata Port. This victory in the competitive bidding process was marked by the receipt of a letter of intent (LOI), which signifies the commencement of the project's setup phase.

Following the issuance of the letter of acceptance, APSEZ is tasked with setting up the necessary cargo handling equipment within a span of seven months. This timeline is crucial for ensuring that the port's operations can be enhanced efficiently, catering to the growing demands of cargo handling in the region.

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port plays a pivotal role in the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol, serving as a key point for Inland Water Transit and Trade routes. The port's Netaji Subhas Dock, the largest container terminal on India's eastern coastline, supports a vast hinterland, including states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, and the North Eastern states, along with neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, Netaji Subhas Dock managed 0.63 million TEUs, reflecting its significant capacity and importance. The operation of APSEZ at this facility is anticipated to further enhance the connectivity between terminals and its container ports, particularly those involved in transshipment activities at Vizhinjam, India, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

With frequent service calls from ports in Colombo, Klang, and Singapore, the Netaji Subhas Dock is a critical hub for international trade. The entry of APSEZ into its operations is expected to streamline processes and boost the efficiency of cargo movement, aligning with the port's strategic objectives to serve the hinterland and neighboring regions effectively.

News by Rahul Yelligetti