JSW Infrastructure Ltd (JSWIL), a 100% subsidiary of Sajjan Jindal led-JSW Group, has drawn up a master plan to develop its Jaigarh Port in Konkan as one of India’s biggest ports that could receive big bulk carriers, LNG, LPG and oil tankers.
“We are developing this port for the future,” Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group said. “We are now working to receive the vale max, the largest ever 400,000 tonnes iron ore carrier and also 350,000 tonnes very large crude carriers in the county. We have already done the master planning.”
He was in Jaigarh in the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra on the occasion of the dedication ceremony of the port for the service of the nation.
Road connectivity
The operations of Jaigarh Port started in 2009 and now JSW Infrastructure has linked this port with road connectivity and a rail line will come up in a few years.
JSW Infrastructure has so far invested ₹2,000 crore in this port and an additional ₹2,000 crore will be invested by 2020, Mr. Jindal said. “This will be a future proof project and this will have a total investment of ₹4,000 crore by 2020.”
The company also operates ports at Dharamtar in Maharashtra and South West Port in Goa.
By 2020 the company has plans to invest a total of ₹9,000 crore in all its port projects including the investment that has already been made.
By that time the company will have capacity of over 200 million tonnes.
Share sale plan
Mr. Jindal said that JSW Infrastructure will go for IPO after it achieves operational capacity of 100 million tonnes which is likely in 2019.
“Before that we may go for private placement to the level of between 10% and 15% and after that we will go for IPO,” Mr. Jindal said.
Jaigarh Port is the company’s flagship port. The Jaigarh Digni Railway Line on the Konkan Railway network will enhance connectivity to it the JSW Group in conjunction with Indian railways.
This PPP project will have an investment of ₹777 crore.
On completion, this railway line will assist in improving the current connectivity situation wherein the nearest railway link is at Ratnagiri, a distance of 55 km on the Konkan Railway network.
Largest dry bulk parcel
Jaigarh Port also on Saturday achieved the distinction of having received the nation’s largest dry bulk parcel ever at an Indian port.
The bulk cargo vessel ‘MV China Enterprise’ is carrying over 2,00,000 MT Coking Coal from Australia to India. It is the largest dry bulk parcel ever serviced by an Indian Port, making this achievement a significant milestone in India’s maritime history.
Capt B.V.J.K. Sharma, JMD & CEO at JSW Infrastructure Ltd, said: “ While receiving of India’s largest dry bulk parcel is indeed momentous, there is a need to continuously strive towards achieving even greater heights.”
This green-field multi-cargo deep water port in Jaigarh currently has a capacity of 15 MTPA which it is now expanding to 80 MTPA by building additional capability by 2020.
In the near future, Jaigarh Port is getting ready for a giant leap to handle 65 MTPA of cargo and aiming for direct berthing of next generation vessels i.e. largest dry bulk carrier (vale max), Captain Sharma said.
“The vale max calls on only 10 ports across the world. We will be world’s 11 such port and India’s first.” he said.
