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When 1300 new Indian-built Ford automobiles were loaded onto the car carrier, Grand Dahlia, on August 27th for delivery to Mexico, a new era for the Gujarati port of Pipavav commenced. Western India’s fastest-growing port, Pipavav is operated as part of the APM Terminals global terminal network.
APM Terminals Pipavav has signed an agreement with NYK Auto Logistics (NAL) India for finished car export services and the construction of a new automobile services terminal. The port is well placed to handle exports for new manufacturing plants set up in the hinterland by Ford and General Motors, among others.
The 6500 car capacity Grand Dahlia took on its cargo at the new NAL car terminal, which includes an 80,000 m2 car storage area and is leased from Port of Pipavav.
Pipavav port recently reached another milestone when it handled the 9970teu capacity Maersk Saltoro, the largest container vessel to call at the port. Two new coastal services have also recently started to call here, boosting throughput levels.
An expansion is now underway at the port of Pipavav’s container terminal and will include strengthening the existing berth, additional dredging, the installation of three new post-Panamax cranes, and four RTGs, which will increase the port’s annual throughput capacity to 1.35 million teu.
Container throughput at APM Terminals Pipavav was 780,000 teu in 2014, representing an annual growth rate of 18 per cent. The company handled 201,000 teu during the first quarter of 2015, up 7 percent from the equivalent period in 2014. This suggests a record breaking year is in prospect for the port.
