Moller-Maersk ink pact to develop Pipavav as world-class port

Ahmedabad, June 2 (UNI) Shipping major AP Moller-Maersk today signed an agreement with the Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited (GPPL) to develop Pipavav Port on Saurashtra coast as a lead promoter at a cost of Rs 1,272 crore over the next three years.

Pipavav Port, spread over 800 hectares with facilities for handling general cargo besides containers, is already connected with broad guage railway line and highways to serve the vast hinterland.

It is proposed to be developed into a world-class port.

The supplementary concession agreement was signed between the two parties in presence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, AP Moller-Maersk regional chief Jack Hilton, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) chairman A K Joti and other senior officers.

GMB operated ports have handled 108 million tonnes of cargo during 2005-06, up from 17 million tonnes just ten years ago, said a release here today.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Modi said that Gujarat was keen to set up 19 Special Economic Zones (SEZs). A separate commissionarate was being set up to take up the gigantic task. Some SEZs had already started functioning.

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