Dear Friends,
At the outset, I wish you all on the eve of 64th Independence Day.
You might be aware that Paradip Port, the 8th Major Port of the Country, is servicing the nation since its inception in 1966. The Port has become (one of) the most important gateway on the East Coast, based on its core strengths: deep draft and proximity to mineral reserves, vicinity to the large hinterland and land-locked regions. Our Port strives to become a lead hub port of East Coast and economic thrust engine for Eastern India. We pledge to offer world class marine and operational services, while adding value to stakeholders through cost effective services, through highly mechanized, deep draft and dedicated handling facilities, through superior supply chain connectivity and dedicated corridors and through strategic partnerships with private investors. The Port is an ISO 9001:2008 certified and ISPS compliant Port providing prompt, reliable, and efficient services to its users over the years.

I am happy to mention that during the last five years, the performance of the Port has been noteworthy, while in the year 2009-10 it was outstanding. The Port started as a mono-commodity port on 18th April, 1966 having only one berth to handle Iron ore vessel of 60,000 DWT size. Over the years, the Port has flourished into a multi-commodity port having fourteen berths and a Single Point Mooring equipped with state of art cargo handling equipment. The Port has made an unprecedented growth of traffic from 0.067 Million tonnes in the year 1966-67 to 57.01 Million tonnes in 2009-10. During the last six years the port has expanded its scale and scope of operation to double its traffic. This has been possible only with hard work, unstinting contributions and well wishes of the Port employees, Port users, and other stakeholders. The role of Trade Unions has been vital and encouraging in achieving the milestones.

I am happy to note that Paradip Port has handled 57.01 Million tonnes of traffic in this fiscal year with a growth rate of 22.84% as compared to 5.74% average growth of all Major Ports during the year 2009-10, despite Global meltdown and slow Export/Import business in the international market. A record quantity of 5.57 million tonnes of cargo was handled during the month of January 2010 surpassing the previous record of 5.22 million tonnes handled during December 2009. A record quantity of 7, 51,792 metric tonnes of Iron Ore was handled mechanically at IOHP during the month of January 2010 surpassing the previous record of 7, 44,669 metric tonnes handled during March 2006. A record quantity of 6.83 million tonnes of Iron Ore was handled mechanically in the Iron Ore Handling Plant during the year 2009-10 surpassing the previous record of 5.84 Million tonnes in the year 2008-09. Paradip Port’s Position has improved to 5th position from earlier 8th position amongst the Major Ports in terms of volume of traffic handled due to quantum jump in cargo handling.

One RO-RO Jetty for handling of Project Cargo has been commissioned on 31/03/2010. One berth of 160 Metres has been constructed for berthing of IOCL vessels. Another berth of 108 Metres for berthing of Coast Guard Vessels has been constructed in view of increased security measures taken up by the Coast Guard. With a view to simplify transactions between Port and Port users and to make its operations user-friendly, effective and efficient, Paradip Port introduced IT facilities like Electronic Data Interchange system and Port Community System.

Paradip Port is undertaking various projects to increase its capacity and diversify its operation. To name a few are ‘Deepening of Channel’ to handle Cape size vessels (i.e. up to 1, 25,000 DWT size), Development of a new deep draught Iron ore terminal and a new deep draught Coal Terminal on BOT basis through PPP mode to handle 10 MTPA each of Iron Ore and coal respectively, Construction of one multipurpose berth on BOT basis through PPP Mode to handle containers and other clean cargoes of 5 MTPA. On completion of the deepening of channel project, the depth of the entrance channel and approach channel will be increased from 13.00 mtrs. to 17.00 mtrs. and 15.00 mtrs to 18.70 mtrs respectively. The concession agreement for development of the deep draught Iron ore terminal has been signed on 01st July, 2009 with M/s Blue Water Iron Ore terminal Pvt. Ltd an SPV of Noble Group, Gammon India and MMTC. Similarly, the concession agreement for deep draught Coal Terminal has been signed on 10th November, 2009 with M/s ESSAR Paradip Terminal Ltd. The construction work will commence soon. M/s. Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd. & Leighton contractors (India) Pvt. Ltd. has bagged the award of the work of Construction of one multipurpose berth. In addition, state-of-art equipment is being installed for mechanization and modernization of the existing Berths.
A proposal has been initiated to construct one Oil berth with a capacity of 10 MTPA at an estimated cost of Rs. 191.09 crores. The detailed engineering work is under progress. The Planning Commission has given No- Objection for taking up the Project from internal resources. The project is at appraisal stage. The likely date of completion of the project is March 2012. 2nd Single Point Mooring in association with IOC will be set up at Paradip for handling of their Very Large Crude Carriers [VLCCs] by March, 2012. This will add a capacity of about 15 Million tons of cargo handling to the present volume. Paradip Port has initiated the projects like “Construction of an Island Breakwater” with berthing facilities on the lee side of the breakwater and “Construction of Western Dock System” for construction of 6 nos. of berths. The total capacity of the Port will be 135 MTPA by 2012. It is expected that the Port will join the 100 Million Tonnes club in terms of cargo handling by the year 2016-17.


The Port is committed to transform itself into world class facilities suited to the requirements of future economy of India with continuous support and patronage of all stakeholders.

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

Biplav Kumar,
Chairman, Paradip Port Trust