Paradip/Bhubaneswar: JSW Infrastructure has begun commercial operations at its coal terminal in Paradip Port’s east quay.
The fully-mechanised terminal with coal handling capacity of 30 million ton per annum was established at Paradip Port with an investment of approximately Rs 1,300 crore. It has been built as a cape compliant terminal and will handle capesize vessels once dredging in the port is completed.
The terminal has capacity to unload 25 rakes per day and can load two vessels simultaneously. The infrastructure of the terminal is built to ensure higher productivity while reducing overall logistics cost to power producers.
Paradip Port Trust (PPT) awarded JSW Infrastructure to develop a fully-mechanised coal terminal on build, operate & transfer basis for 30 years. Following the commissioning of this coal terminal, JSW Infrastructure’s current cargo capacity would cross 150 MTPA. It aims to have a total cargo handling capacity of 200 MTPA by 2024 financial year.
Commenting on its coal terminal at Paradip, Arun Maheshwari, Joint MD & CEO of JSW Infrastructure said, “Paradip Port continues to be an attractive sea route for coal movement. With the commissioning of this terminal, India can now offer capesize shipments with efficient operations.”
“During the last few months, steam coal prices globally have witnessed sharp increase forcing thermal power plants and other coal-based industry to switch to domestic coal. Start of this coal terminal has come at the right time to fill up the demand gap of domestic coal. Through high productivity and larger shipment size, we hope to reduce overall logistics costs for our coal cargo customers,” he added.
JSW Infrastructure, one of the leading ports companies in the country and part of US$ 13 billion JSW Group, also has an iron ore terminal at Paradip Port with a capacity to handle 10 million ton per annum of iron ore/pellets. This terminal loaded highest ever 1.4 lakh ton in a single vessel in March. It is designed to load the capesize vessels within 48 hours.