JSW Infrastructure commissions India’s most modern iron ore terminal

Bhubaneswar: JSW Infrastructure, one of India’s leading private port companies and part of US$ 14 billion JSW Group, commissioned its new iron ore terminal at Paradip Port.

The 370 meters’ long terminal with a capacity of 18 MTPA has been developed with a futuristic vision. It is built to handle Capesize vessels for iron ore and pellet exports and can load at a rate of 100,000 metric tons per day.

The high load rate is expected to significantly reduce the pre-berthing delays at Paradip as well as allow incremental cargo flow for the Port which is all set to be the largest port in the country.

The company has invested approximately Rs 750 crore to establish the new terminal at Paradip.

Paradip Port Trust had awarded JSW Infrastructure the right to develop a fully mechanized iron ore export terminal on Build, Operate &Transfer basis for 30 years. Following the commissioning of this new terminal, JSW Infrastructure’s current cargo capacity crosses the 100 MTPA mark.

Commenting on the new terminal at Paradip, Arun Maheshwari, Joint MD & CEO of JSW Infrastructure said, “Paradip location continues to remain attractive for Iron ore movement for sea route. With the commissioning of this terminal, India can now offer cape size shipments. The capacities are far better than not only any other Indian port but also many ports internationally.”

“The most modern, fully mechanized & environment-friendly terminal will enable minimal handling loss for our customers with faster turnaround. This will help boost competitiveness of customers as well as Paradip Port.This terminal is part of our broader strategy to achieve 200 MTPA cargo handling capacities in next three years. We will achieve our capacity target through a mix of greenfield and brownfield expansions,” he added.

JSW’s iron ore terminal at Paradip comprises two ship-loaders, each with a capacity of 7,000 metric tonnes per hour. It also has 800,000metric tonnes cargo storage yard with Rotary & Tandem Wagon tipplers to enable fast rake unloading. JSW commissioned its new terminal at Paradip by loading approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of iron ore pellets in MV IC Phoenix for one of the country’s leading pellet manufacturer, Brahmani River Pellets Ltd.

Speaking on this occasion, Ashwini Kumar Vaishnaw, Managing Director of Brahmani River Pellets Limited, said, “We are delighted to be the first shipper to sail out the vessel MV IC Phoenix from JSW terminal, Paradip. The state-of-the-art terminal will increase the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the port and prove to be very rewarding for all the stakeholders. JSW terminal, will play a major role in the economy of India, by reducing the overall cost and making us more competitive in the international market.  We see the history in making that Paradip port will be one of the best and preferred port for exports and coastal movements in India.”

Paradip Port is a natural, deep-water port on the East coast of India in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. Paradip is one of the Major Ports of India.

The port is administered by the Paradip Port Trust (PPT), an autonomous corporation wholly owned by the Government of India. It is situated at confluence of the Mahanadi river and the Bay of Bengal. It is situated 210 nautical miles south of Kolkata and 260 nautical miles north of Visakhapatnam.