Kolkata Port Creates History with Record 65.66 MMT Cargo

Plans for further Upgradation and Night Navigation of Vessels

Padmesh Prabhune

In its 153 years history, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata) including Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex, for the first time, has handled 65.66 million tonnes of Cargo for the FY 2022-23, recording an all time high throughput, a 12.87% increase from the earlier record of 58.175 million tonnes moved in FY 2021-22.

In 2022-23, SMP, Kolkata recorded the highest ever growth of Traffic of 7.5 million mtonnes done, as compared to previous years, which is the highest quantum growth achieved in its history.

Shri P.L. Haranadh, Chairman, SMPK said that the port registered a strong financial performance in 2022-23 by posting net surplus of Rs. 304 crores i.e. net surplus improved by 150% compared to the previous years. SMP, Kolkata had earlier surpassed the Ministry’s target of 61 MMT collectively and individually both at its twin dock systems, viz. HDC 44.50 MMT on March 3, .2023 and KDS 16.50 MMT on March 22 ‘2023.

With this, SMP, Kolkata is now elevated from 6th position to 5th 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 growth rate of 13.37% and 11.47%, respectively.

Also SMP, Kolkata has handled highest ever rail-borne cargo (34.6 MMT) for the financial year 2022-23. To augment capacity of the port, SMPK is stressing on the PPP Projects in a big way and the port has awarded 3 major projects with investment of Rs.730 crores through the PPP Mode. These three projects are expected to increase capacity by 6.7 MMT.

Shri Haranadh said, “Increasing cargo throughput was driven by various measures undertaken by the port to improve productivity, safety, business development, capacity utilization, etc.

“The SMPK is planning to develop extended port gate system at Balagarh with an investment at about Rs.445 crores, out of which around Rs. 343 crores will be invested through PPP.”

SMPK also plans to develop the land parcels it owns and has already floated EoI for developing a multi-modal logistic terminal near port on about 60 acres of land near Kolkata Dock that would facilitate warehousing, cold storage, Truck Terminals, Rail and Road connectivity, etc.

SMPK is targeting to start Night Navigation of the vessels destined to/originated from Kolkata Dock System, in association with Antwerp Port, Belgium and IIT Chennai. It plans to bring small vessels upto 100 ms by August, 2023 and all vessels by March, 2024 which will reduce turnaround time of the vessels, substantially increasing the capacity of the port.

–Marex Media