Kolkata Port achieves all-time high cargo ( 65.66 MT) handling in 2022-23

SMP, Kolkata includes Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).

In 2022-23, SMP recorded the highest-ever growth of traffic of 7.5 million tonnes, in comparison to previous years, which was the highest quantum growth achieved in its history.

The port had earlier surpassed the Ports Ministry's target of 61 MMT collectively and individually both at its twin dock systems, viz. HDC (44.50 Million Metric Tonne on 3.3.2023) and KDS (16.50  Million Metric Tonne on 22.03.2023).

Port chairman P.L.Haranadh said that increasing cargo throughput was driven by various measures undertaken by the port to improve productivity, safety, business development capacity utilization, etc.

"It is worth mentioning that SMP, Kolkata got elevated to 5th position from the 6th position in cargo handling among all the major ports of India for the year 2022-23. Cargo handled at HDC is 48.6 MMT and KDS is 17.05 MMT, thus surpassing the previous year’s throughput with the growth rate of 13.37 pc and 11.47 pc, respectively," he said.

The port handled the highest-ever rail-borne cargo (34.6 MMT) for the financial year 2022-23.

Haranadh stated that the port registered strong financial performance in 2022-23 by posting a net surplus of Rs. 304 crore, net surplus improved by 150 pc compared to the previous years.

"To augment capacity of the port, SMPK is focussing on the PPP Projects in a big way. During the financial year 2022-23, the port has awarded 3 major projects with an investment of Rs.730 crore through PPP Mode. These three projects are expected to increase capacity by 6.7 MMT," he added.

The port has also reduced congestion and increased capacity.

It has planned to develop an extended port gate system at Balagarh with an investment of about Rs.445 crore, out of which around Rs. 343 crore will be invested through PPP.

"SMPK plans to develop the land parcels owned by it in a systematic way. The detailed master plan is being prepared by SMPK and will be completed by June 2023. The port has already floated EoI for developing a multi-modal logistic terminal near the port on about 60 acres of land which is only 2 km from Kolkata Dock.

These projects would facilitate warehousing, cold storage, Truck Terminal, Rail and Road connectivity, etc." the chairman elaborated.

Among others, the plan is to start Night Navigation of the vessels destined to/originated from the Kolkata Dock System, in association with Antwerp Port, Belgium and IIT Chennai.

It plans to bring small vessels up to 100 m by August 2023 and all vessels by March 2024 which will reduce the turnaround time of the vessels substantially increasing the capacity of the port, Haranath said.

(With UNI inputs)