Tuticorin to get captive terminal

The shipping ministry approved the setting up of a captive handling terminal by Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) at the Tuticorin Port. The terminal will be constructed at a cost of around Rs 2.5 billion and comprises a Rs 500-million berth. It will handle imported thermal coal for the Rs 49-billion power plant being set up by NLC along with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) within the port premises. The facility is expected to handle around 5 million tonnes per annum of thermal coal from 2012, while the total capacity of the berth will be 6.3 million tonnes per annum. Initially, NLC will bring Handymax vessels with a capacity of 40,000 tonnes. Once the dredging work is complete, it will bring Panamax vessels with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes.

Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT) is also planning to invest around Rs 5.38 billion to increase the draught at main berths, entry channels and turning circles from 10.7 m to 12.8 m. TPT has already called for tenders for the proposed dredging work and seven companies participated in the pre-bid meeting. Currently, two berths at the port handle imported coal for TNEB and other private players.
 

Source: Maritime Gateway