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A multi-pronged strategy to uplift Paradip Port
PARADIP: Paradip Port Trust is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to take the Paradip port in Odisha on top amongst the major ports. It is hopeful of augmenting total capacity to around 300 million tonnes (mt), up from the current 289 mt by developing the port’s western dock on PPP (public-private partnership)model.
The Authority’s Chairperson PL Haranadh said the port is currently the second among the major ports in the country, and handled 135.36 mt of cargo in 2022-23, a 17 per cent increase over 2021-22. “Our current capacityiscloseto289mtandwehave already awarded the Rs. 3,000 crore project for development of western dock to Jindal Steel and Power. This will help add another 25 mt and increase the total capacity to over 300 mt in the next four-to-five years. We are looking to further augment our capacity to 400 mt by 2030 and 500 mt by 2047 and have identified various projects for expansion and modernisation,”Haranadhsaid.
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The optimisation of inner harbour facilities and the development of western dock would help the port handlelarge-cape-sizedvessels.“The project will help increase the draft to around 18 metre and will help bring down the logistics cost for operators significantly,” he said. The port is looking to add four new berths and mechanisethefourexistingberthsas a part of its plan to ramp up the capacityto400mtby2030.
Paradip Port has earmarked a capex of around Rs. 180 crore during 2023-24 on general development and modernisation of facilities.
IthadincurredacapexofRs.150crore in2022-23.
Changing portfolio
It is also looking to diversify the cargo basket. Traditionally the port has been handling coal and iron more butnowitisfocusingonothercargoes including gypsum, petcoke and ammonium nitrate, among others. It isalsolookingtodevelopanexclusive berth for clean cargo. Plans are afoot tosetupanLNG/CNGrefillingcentre on PPP model. According to Haranadh,itisalsolookingtodevelop Paradip as a hub for handling green hydrogenandgreenammonia.
“WewanttoconvertParadipintoa smart port by undertaking several digital initiatives. A number of initiatives have already been taken to ensure ease of doing business,” hesaid.
