India’s first private sector port Gujarat Pipavav Port ltd (GPPl) is eying at becoming the ‘Port of choice’ for container, bulk, liquid and RoRo cargo in Western India following plethora of opportunities as a result of Modi Government’s initiatives like “Make in India” and “Sagarmala”.
Managing Director of APl Terminal’s Keld Pedersen said that with Government of India’s initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Sagarmala” coupled with expanded coastal shipping, the see many new opportunities to accomplish its vision of being the ‘Port of choice’ for container, bulk, liquid and RoRo cargo in Western India.
According to Pedersen the larger capacity of Pipavav Port would contribute in expand the company’s services and flexibility towards the customers and help India to meet its tremendous economic potential through seamless logistic solution.
He said that modal shift incentives currently under evaluation by the Government of India would further encourage shifting of domestic cargo from road to sea. Coastal shipping is an environmentally-friendly alternative to land transportation, reducing diesel fuel consumption and emissions, as well as Indian roadway congestion, he said, adding that the expansion project would help the company to be future ready.
APM Terminals Pipavav (Gujarat Pipavav Port ltd) has recently successfully completed its capacity expansion project which would increase its annual container throughput handling capacity from 850,000 TEUs (Total Equivalent Units) to 1.35 million TEUs.
As part of the expansion plan, APM Terminals invested around Rs 400 crore. The investment included buying new STS cranes, strengthening the existing berth, dredging, and the improvement of the container yard and internal roads at the port. This investment will increase efficiency and productivity in the port operations.
For the bulk cargo handling business segment, the company has a current capacity of 4-5 million MTs of dry bulk cargo, 2 million MTs of liquid bulk cargo and approximately 250,000 passenger cars per year. Additional marine side and land side areas available at port for future development
It is worth mentioning that PM Terminals Pipavav [Gujarat Pipavav Port ltd.] is a part of the $4.24 APM Terminals Global Terminal Network of 72 operating ports, terminal facilities and 135 Inland services, employing 20,600 professionals across 69 countries around the world.