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One of India’s leading private terminal operators, Essar Ports, has confirmed that two major investment projects are due to be completed within a matter of weeks. The company’s investment in Essar Bulk Terminal Salaya Limited (EBTSL) and Essar Vizag Terminal will boost its overall handling capacity by 8 million tonnes, to 90 million tonnes a year, and will increase the company’s revenues by around 30% in the 2018-2019 financial year.
Operations recently got underway at EBTSL, which is the Saurashtra region’s first deep-draft terminal facility for fully loaded vessels up to 100,000 dwt cargo capacity, and represents an investment of around Rs 2000 crore (US$ 310 million). The first vessel was recently handled at the terminal, which is designed to berth Capesize ships and achieve turnaround times of less than two days. This performance is expected to significantly benefit local industry, allowing for economies of scale and reduced transit times. Commodities handled at the terminal are expected to include coal, bauxite, limestone and fertilizers, for both export and import.
The new terminal features two screw type ship unloaders, each rated at 2500 tonnes per hour; a 1500 tonnes per hour ship loader; and a 20km long conveyor system, with the ability to handle 5000 tonnes of bulk cargo an hour. The stockyard, which features advanced dust suppression and extraction systems, is integrated with nearby power plants.
Captain Deepak Sachdeva, chief executive of EBTSL, said: “The business potential of this asset is tremendous since this is the first deep draft terminal in the region. Quick turnaround and our ability to handle vessels up to 100,000 dwt will give a significant competitive edge to our customers.”
Meanwhile at Essar Vizag Terminal the daily cargo handling rate has been increased to 120,000 tonnes with the commissioning of an 8,000 tonnes per hour capacity ship loader. This Rs 830 crore (US$ 130.5 million) modernisation and expansion project is due to be commissioned by the end of January this year, increasing the daily iron ore handle rate from 70,000 to 120,000 tonnes. The increased cargo handling productivity levels will also translate into shorter turnaround times and competitive freight costs for exporters on the east coast of India, Essar Ports suggests. Following the commissioning of the expansion project, the Vizag facility will now be able to berth vessels up to 200,000 dwt, with a depth of 18m, on the outer harbour of Vizag Port.
