Baalu reviews performance of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust

Mumbai, June 26 : Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Thiru. T.R. Baalu reviewed the performance of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the premium container hub port on the West Coast of India, here today.

In 2007-08, JN Port handled traffic of 4.06 million TEUs (55.48 million tones) registering 23 per cent increase over the previous year. This is also 13 per cent more than the target set by the Ministry of Shipping for this Port.

Baalu was informed at the review meeting that the performance is expected to improve further this year with the Ship Berth-day output in April-May 2008 being 21,158 tons which is a substantial increase over the corresponding period last year.

A number of capacity augmentation projects are in the offing including 330M extension to berth north side of the Port at an estimated cost of Rs. 600 crore for which global bids have already been invited.

The procedural work to launch the much awaited Fourth Container Terminal and Marine Chemical Terminal at an estimated cost of Rs. 4100 crore is already on.

This is likely to add a capacity of 30 million tons for container and 8.80 million tons for liquid/POL.

Out of the 32 projects identified under National Maritime Development Programmme (NMDP), four have already been completed and nine works are in progress.

A consultant is being appointed for the Development of Special Economic Zone/Export Promotion Zone to provide infrastructure facilities for port-based industries.

ANI