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Raja Simhan T.E.

Chennai , May 16

SOME 10 companies, including global shipping majors and Indian firms, have purchased the tender document from the Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) to develop a second container terminal inside the port.

Some of the companies include NYK Line, Mitsui OSK Line, CMA CGM, Port of Singapore Authority, Hutchison, Evergreen, Container Corporation of India, Larsen & Toubro and Gammon India, said a source.

The numbers could be more, and a few companies would have downloaded the document from the ChPT Web site, the source said.

The Chennai port handled 6.17 lakh TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) in 2004-05, and the traffic is expected to reach one million TEUs by 2008.

As the capacity of existing terminal, which is operated by P&O Ports, Australia, under a privatisation programme, is fast reaching a saturation point, there is a strong need for a second container terminal, the source said.

The project cost of the second terminal is estimated at Rs 492 crore, of which the ChPT will contribute around Rs 100 crore and the BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) operator the balance.

The second terminal will provide an alternative to the existing terminal and enhance the services standard, the source said.

It may recalled that the Union Government recently accorded its in-principle approval for development of the second terminal, which is expected to handle one lakh TEUs in the second year, and reach six lakh TEUs in the seventh year, the source said.

The quay length of the terminal will be up to 826 metres consisting of east quay and south quay-III.

Four hundred metres of this length can be dredged to a depth of 13.5 metres, which will be sufficient to handle fourth generation container vessels, says information in the bid document.

According to the source, the ChPT is expected to sign an agreement with the BOT operator in September or October.

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