The Port of Paradip was commissioned in the year 1966 for handling of iron ore cargo to start with. Over the years, the port has grown up and handles multifarious cargo at present and has achieved 46.41 million tons of cargo during the year 2008-09. During the current year 2009-10, the port has already handled 31.66 million tons of cargo by 31.10.09, registering an increase of 26.80% over the corresponding period of last year and we hope to handle about 55 million tons during this year.

There is unprecedented growth of traffic at the port in the last 5 years as given below.

Year	Traffic handled [In million tons]
2004-05	30.10
2005-06	30.11
2006-07	38.52
2007-08	42.44
2008-09	46.41

It is expected that the port will be handling 100 million tons per annum by the year 2016-17. To meet the increasing demand for cargo handling at the port, the port has completed the following projects during the last one year

1. A Single Point Mooring for handling VLCCs of Indian Oil Corporation with 15 MTPA capacity was commissioned in December, 2008 and the crude oil is being pumped through onshore pipeline to Haldia and Bareuni Refineries
2. Two jetties have been constructed for berthing of vessels of Indian Coast Guard, Indian Oil Corporation etc
3. A dry dock of dimension 75 mtrs. length, 15 mtrs. width and 11 mtrs. depth has been commissioned in February, 2009 to facilitate repair of all port crafts and other vessels
4. Three mobile harbour cranes of 100 – 140 MT capacity have been deployed at the general cargo berths to increase the throughput

In addition to the above, the ongoing works are as under.

1. Paradip Port has taken up the deepening of channel work at the cost of Rs.353.36 crores. The depth of the approach channel will be increased from 15 mtrs to 18 mtrs. After completion of this work, the port will be in a position to handle cape size vessels up to 1,25,000 DWT. The work is likely to be completed by March, 2010.
2. One RO-RO jetty for handling project cargo is under construction. This work is likely to be completed by December, 2009
3. Mechanization of two more berths has been undertaken, which will be completed during the year 2010-11
4. To increase the capacity at the port, construction of following new berths under PPP model and with the internal resources of the port has been taken up

[i]	Deep draught iron ore berth.	10 MTPA	The tender process is over and concession agreement has been signed on 01.07.09 with M/s. Blue Water Company Ltd.
[ii]	Deep draught coal berth.	10 MTPA	The tender process is over and concession agreement is going to be signed on 10.11.09 with Essar Group.
[iii]	Multipurpose berth	5 MTPA	The RFQ process is over. Port will invite price bids shortly.
[iv]	Oil berth	10 MTPA	The tender notification will be issued shortly.
[v]	Second SPM	15 MTPA	The survey work is completed. The work will start shortly

I am sure with the completion of these projects, the port will be in a position to handle 100 million tons of cargo per annum by the year 2016-17.

To improve the connectivity to the port, a new railway line is being constructed parallel to the existing railway line between Haridaspur and Paradip by a Joint Venture Company in which Paradip Port has got 10% equity. This work is expected to be completed by June, 2010. The four laning work of the Chandikhol-Paradip road NH-5A (77 Kms) has been completed for which Paradip port has contributed Rs.40.00 crores. The Port is ISO 9001: 2000 certified and ISPS compliant and has a high reputation of providing prompt, reliable and friendly services to the customers. The availability of modern equipment for loading and unloading of cargoes, the state-of-the-art Mechanized Coal Handling Plant, good rail and road connectivity for transportation, round the clock navigability 365 days a year in the port, the high level of operational efficiency makes it cost effective for any exporter/importer besides shippers to opt this port as their destination.

The undersigned will be happy to have your suggestions on the port activities directly by E-mail to chmppt@paradipport.gov.in/.

K. Raghuramaiah,
Chairman, Paradip Port Trust