Kamarajar Port in North Chennai will upgrade its General Cargo Berth-1 through a public-private partnership to handle clean and non-polluting cargo, reports Chennai's Hindu daily.
The project, with a capital cost of INR221 billion (US$2.4 billion), will give the berth an annual capacity of three million tonnes. KPL has issued a tender for private firms to qualify for the Upgradation, Equipping, Operations, Maintenance and Transfer concession.
Built in 2012 at a cost of INR140 billion, GCB-1 was designed for car exports and general cargo, with parking space for 14,700 cars. Automobile handling will now shift to GCB-2, commissioned in January 2024, allowing GCB-1 to be redeveloped for clean cargo.
The berth measures 278 metres in length and 27.5 metres in width, though environmental clearance currently specifies 250 metres by 35 metres. KPL will provide 8.44 hectares of backup storage inside the port premises.
The concessionaire will be responsible for upgrading the berth, replacing fenders, installing cargo-handling equipment such as mobile harbour cranes, reach stackers, forklifts and tractor trailers, and developing the yard. The concession period will run for 30 years, including two years of construction.
Kamarajar port has a total cargo capacity of 58 million tonnes per annum and handled 48 million tonnes in FY25. Industry sources said the GCB-1 upgrade will boost clean cargo volumes and divert traffic from Chennai port, which currently handles most of the region's clean cargo.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9251200000499
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