PSA’s Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals (BMCT), at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) will enable Mumbai to regain container traffic lost to ports in Gujarat, said Tan Chong Meng, Group CEO, PSA International Pte. Ltd.
“BMCT is... a crucial sea node that will facilitate the movement of global trade and commerce,” he added.
He was in Mumbai for the inauguration of the first phase of BMCT by Prime Minster Narendra Modi. PSA is investing ₹7900 crore in a 4.8 million TEU annual container handing terminal, the biggest in India, which will double the capacity at JNPT by 2022.
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“BMCT is not built for its own sake. It is built for the sake of the whole port of JNPT. If BMCT has a good reputation, the whole JNPT has a good reputation and cargo may move from other ports to BMCT to be better served by here to the hinterland with greater efficiency and ultimately everyone will get the benefit,” Mr. Meng said.
He said there were some issues that would affect whether the port/the terminal could be part of a total port and terminal community. “We are still seen as a new kid on the block. But, I think that is short sighted. If people say situation in JNPT is not sorted out yet, then it’s not helpful for JNPT. BMCT we would like to see normalisation, part of efficient port system and everybody works towards the health of JNPT’s logistics eco system if that can take place,” he said while answering a question on opposition and roadblocks caused by rival terminal operators at JNPT.
PSA International which runs terminals at five ports in India has invested more than $2billion. “That is a big investment in one single country especially one which over time saw slightly slower growth and then thankfully recently more of a stronger pick up. So, I was putting money with a lot of faith in the future of India,” he said.
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“We continue to see India as a place where PSA will invest more,” he said.