Interest shown by the private sector in port projects has declined in recent years because of the general slowdown in the economy, accompanied by low cargo volume and a difficult funding environment. Owing to these factors and the risks involved in implementing big-ticket projects, port developers are seen to prefer smaller projects with a lower risk profile, reports indicate
Category: Ports & Shipping
Post
Post
Unions oppose privatisation in port sector
Labour unions in some of the major ports in the country are opposing privatization of cargo-handling activities for fear of losing jobs. India has 12 major ports, which are controlled by the union government. The shipping ministry has planned to implement several port projects on public private partnership (PPP) mode, thereby attracting priva
Post
Ministry asked to award one major port project in 6 months
At a recent review meeting of infrastructure ministries, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the shipping ministry to award only one of the proposed two major port projects over the next six months. It may be recalled that the union budget 2013-14 proposed to set up two major port projects, one each in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Of late, private companies developed cold shoulder in implementing projects in the port sector. Projects award
Post
MPT takes steps to attract cruise traffic
In a press release, Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) said it was taking efforts to boost cruise traffic at the port as well as cruise tourism in the state. In this regard, the port authority is working in co-ordination with the union ministry of Shipping to attract more cruise liners to Goa, the release said
Post
Uncertainty in dredging may affect Haldia project
With the central government withdrawing dredging subsidy for dredging projects in Kolkata port, industry watchers raise concern about the ability of the financially strained port to dredge the channel. Dredging of the channel is required in order to attract large ships and thereby boost cargo traffic in the port.
Inability to dredge the channel may affect the prospect of th
Post
Minister to discuss fuel export to Mauritius
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma may hold discussion with his counterpart in the Mauritius government to promote petroleum export from India to the island nation. Sharma, who is scheduled to visit the country soon, would hold meeting with Sayyad Abd-Al-Cader Sayed-Hossen, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Prote
Post
TAMP can ask CCI to probe possible anti-trust behaviour
Tariff Authority of Major Ports (TAMP) may seek the service of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to probe anti-competitive practices of terminal operators or port companies in future. With the shipping ministry set to liberalise tariff regime in the port sector, the possibility of cartelisation and other anti-competitive behaviour
Post
Cargo volume at PPT rises 45% in June quarter
During Apr-Jun 2013 quarter, cargo volume at Paradip Port Trust (PPT) rose 45 per cent to 17 million tonne (mn t) from 11.74 mn t in the year-ago period. In an official statement, the only major port in Odisha said the cargo volume during the quarter exceeded the target set for the period by 5.79 per cent.Among all major ports in the country, the port is ranked at second position in terms of both volume and percentage growth in traffic. In June alone, the throu
Post
Department organises workshop
The Ports Department of Kerala government organised a workshop on coastal shipping with a thrust on the improvement of the Kollam cargo port on July 5. Participants in the workshop would discuss coastal environment security, shipping channels, a master plan for Kollam port, international shipping rules, rights of the fishing community and the employment opportunities arisin
Post
Govt may adopt SPV model for proposed port projects
According to some media reports, central government plans to develop two major ports, one each in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, through special purpose vehicle (SPV)-based model. The central government may contribute Rs 5,000 crore as equity for the two projects. Reports indicate that the central government may contribute 74 percent of the total project cost, while the respective state gove