India-based conglomerate Essar Group has announced that Paradip Port Trust has received approval from India's Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for the deep draft coal berth which will be built by Essar Ports. Paradip Port is one of India's major ports, serving the eastern and central parts of the country.
Essar Ports will build a mechanized berth of 370 meter length which will be one of the most advanced port facilities of its type in India. This will give the facility an effective handling capability of 14 to 18 million mt per year.
According to the statement, this project is a part of Paradip Port Trust's plans towards mechanization of coal imports. Last year, Paradip Port Trust handled approximately 12 million mt of imported coal.
The Essar Ports aims to commence construction activities as soon as possible and targets commissioning in 18-24 months' time. Essar Ports, currently operating 88 million mt per year of port capacity between Vadinar and Hazira, is expanding its total capacity to 158 million mt per year by 2014. The deep draft coal berth at Paradip is expected to add 14 to 18 million mt per year of third party cargo volumes.