Mundra may be largest port by 2013

As Kolkata Port hopes to grab a share of exim cargo from the JN Port, it is more likely to face competition from other newer ports on the Western coast – Pipavav and Mundra. Mundra Port and Special 
Economic Zone (MPSEZ), an Adani Group interest, is likely to become India's largest port operator by 2013-14, with a cumulative port capacity of 285 million tonne per annum (mtpa), according to a report.

Ruias-promoted Essar Ports will become the second largest private port operator in the country after MPSEZ by 2016-17, with a capacity of 168 mtpa, according to Standard Chartered Securities.

Mundra Port will add about 65 mtpa of assured bulk/crude cargo and another 25 mtpa of container cargo capacity by 2013-14, the brokerage firm further said. The country's largest private port expects to import 40 per cent more coal this year and open an LNG terminal by 2015 to 
meet the growing power demands of India.

The report cautions that Essar Ports' performance depends heavily on the expansion plans of group companies and project commissioning poses a risk to volume offtake.