KOPT LOOKS BEYOND CARGO, FORAYS INTO SHIP REPAIR, CRUISE
Steel Insights|March 2020
As Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) celebrates its 150th anniversary, the organisation that manages the ports of Kolkata as well as Haldia, finds itself at the crossroads. Even as the shallow depth of the Hoogly river at Kolkata and elsewhere along the downstream continues to pose challenges, growing importance of inland waterways cargo movement and planned projects under the Sagarmala programme along with the outreach to deep-drafted Sagar have put the spotlight back on KoPT. Arindam Bandyopadhyay caught up with Vinit Kumar, the Chairman of KoPT, who talked about the new plans and projects as well as the impact of the coronavirus epidemic that is roiling global trade and shipping industry. Excerpts from an interview:
KOPT LOOKS BEYOND CARGO, FORAYS INTO SHIP REPAIR, CRUISE

KoPT has adopted a three-pronged strategy to revive the port system and is looking into inland waterways, ship repairing and cruise tourism, apart from normal cargo handling. What are the key initiatives planned in these areas?

Cargo remains our primary focus but diversification is something we are seriously looking into.

We are foraying into related industries and activities like ship repairing, for which we have entered into a joint agreement with Cochin Shipyard Ltd. We have two dry docks in Netaji Subhash dock where ship repairing has already started.

We also have three dry docks in Kidderpore dock where we plan to start the activity in future. We are planning to outsource operations at these three dry docks on a long-term basis. There is adequate infrastructure at these blocks. Apart from ship repairing, we may go for ship building as well, if required, through the outsourced agency.

Another area we are focusing on is unlocking the value of port land. The township policy is under preparation under which we will be earmarking the land required for port related purposes and also the land which can be utilised for activities like cruise and river front tourism. There is a parcel of around 32 acres of land near Kidderpore dock, which we are developing into a social space-cum-entertainment zone. It would have both social as well as commercial spaces.

How is the land development project progressing?

The work has already has started on river cruise. In the first phase, we are spending around ₹10 crore on beautification and making some basic facilities for the river cruise operators. The tender has already been awarded to an EPC contractor who would be building the project using the architectural plan provided by us. For phase two, we have started the survey and preparation of Draft Project Report for the development of 30 acres.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Steel Insights.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Steel Insights.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM STEEL INSIGHTSView All
Steel's Net Zero mission
Steel Insights

Steel's Net Zero mission

The country’s commitment to achieving Net Zero within a targeted timeframe will now propel its steel sector towards a sustainable future in line with global trends.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2021
Fuel Price Hike, Supply Chain Disruption Hurt Festive Sales
Steel Insights

Fuel Price Hike, Supply Chain Disruption Hurt Festive Sales

Supply chain disruptions and fuel price hikes have hurt festive sales in a big way as most auto majors posted decline in sales in October.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2021
Seaborne coking coal offers remain range-bound
Steel Insights

Seaborne coking coal offers remain range-bound

Seaborne coking coal offers moved in a narrow range in October amid global supply tightness and healthy spot demand.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2021
Global crude steel output down 8% in September
Steel Insights

Global crude steel output down 8% in September

China manufactured 74 mt in September, fall of 21% y-o-y while India’s production went up by 7% to 10 mt.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2021
MOIL embarks on expansion projects
Steel Insights

MOIL embarks on expansion projects

“Even though our country is blessed with manganese ore reserves, we import 50% of the domestic requirement. We have to lower our import dependence and save precious foreign exchange.” Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, Steel Minister

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2021
Iron ore handled by major ports down 17% in H1
Steel Insights

Iron ore handled by major ports down 17% in H1

The 12 major Indian ports handled 27 mt of iron-ore during H1 of 2021, down by 17% from 33 mt recorded for the corresponding period of previous year.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2021
Shrinking China output to boost India exports
Steel Insights

Shrinking China output to boost India exports

“In the third quarter of 2021, the company actively responded to the pressure from external policies, such as production curtailment and dual control system on energy consumption and intensity, as well as coal resource shortage and surging prices.” Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2021
Indian Railways' iron-ore handling up 25% in H1
Steel Insights

Indian Railways' iron-ore handling up 25% in H1

Indian Railways in April-September of 2021 (H1) transported 84 mt of iron ore, up by 25% over 67 mt during April-September 2020.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2021
September crude steel production up 7.2% y-o-y
Steel Insights

September crude steel production up 7.2% y-o-y

India’s crude steel production in September 2021 grew 7.2 percent to 9.547 million tons (mt) over September 2020 but was down by 3.2 percent from August 2021 output, provisional steel ministry data showed.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2021
“Five enablers: way forward to sustainable cleaner steel”
Steel Insights

“Five enablers: way forward to sustainable cleaner steel”

Right and scalable technology, appropriate policy guidance by government, access to finance to fund transition, willingness of customers to pay for cleaner products and infrastructure for use of new technologies are the need of the hour for the sustainable and cleaner steel industry, according to Madhulika Sharma, Chief Corporate Sustainability, Tata Steel.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2021