Message from the Chairman

Commissioned in 1870, the 1^st major and the only riverine port of India with 232 km. long navigational channel, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) continues its chequered journey experiencing dwindling draft and other morphological dynamics of the river Hooghly. The Port observed its sesquicentennial birthday celebrationon11^th January, 2020, graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, with launching of various key projects. A ‘Tableau’ showcasing Glorious Past and Vibrant Future of the Port was displayed at the Republic Day Celebration Parade at New Delhi on 26.01.2020.

2. Though the fortunes of SMPK, the gateway to Eastern India and once the premier Port of the country, started to wobble and wither since 1966-67 in the face of competition from the neighbouring sea ports, the challenges of deteriorating river draft, presence of bends & bores and restrictions in Lock size  inhibiting entry of larger ships. However, the Port gravitated southwards, created sister dock system/ anchorages to avail of deeper draft and the potential of Inland Water Transport (IWT) to continue re-engineering itself in newer locales and diversify its functions.

3. Major commodities handled by this Port POL, Vegetable Oil, Liquid Chemicals, Iron Ore, Thermal / Coking Coal, Break Bulk/ Dry Bulk Cargo and Containers. Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) primarily handles Dry Bulk and Liquid Bulk whereas Kolkata Dock System (KDS) principally handles Break Bulk and Containers.The Port in its dual dock systems at Kolkata & Haldia with a capacity of 87.60 million tonnes, is handling more than 3000 vessels with around 60 Million Tonnes of cargo, a share of around 8-9 % of the Indian Major Ports. SMPK handled the highest traffic of 66.4 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of cargo during FY (2023-24), creating an all time record in the Port’s history. SMPK handled highest ever container throughput of 8,44,762 TEUs in 2019-20 in its 153-year-history

4.(a) To ensure improved productivity, faster turnaround and reduced deadfreighting of the gearless vessels carrying dry bulk cargo, we have already equipped quite a few of our berths inside the impounded dock at HDC with Mobile Harbour Cranes and other ancillary equipment at Berths 4B, 2, 8 & 13.

(b) In 2018, transhipment was carried out for the first time at Sandheads from Cape Vessel with Floating Cranes and has been continuing since then. Using its deep-drafted facilities, SMPK has handled 3.4 million tonnes through Transhipment/Lighterage during 2023-24.  SMPK handled 36 vessels (Cape-25, Panamax-8, Handimax-2 & Baby Cape-1) of 1.99 MMT Dry Bulk Cargo through Floating Crane at anchorages.

(c) Ship-to-Ship (STS) Operations being carried out at Sandheads have particularly contributed to the steep rise of Transhipment cargo. 18 vessels (12 LPG& 06 Naptha) were handled in this mode in 2023-24.STS operation substantially reduced the cost of trade at a rate of around Rs 3 crores per voyage.

(d) Largest container vessel, MSC ARIA III with  LoA of 215.29 m and a beam of 29.95 m berthed at HDC, SMPK for the first time  on 12.12.2023. With 2690 TEUs and 28097 tonnes, it pioneered the Mundra-Haldia Direct route thus exemplifying the commitment to efficient & direct services beyond the usual transhipment hub.

(e) Comprehensive Train Examination (TXR) facility has been set up at Line No.23 EJC Yard in KDS where TXR examination has commenced w.e.f. 02.01.24. This is a significant milestone at KDS, SMPK and will go a long way towards improvement of railway facilities.

(f) SMPK has also enhanced connectivity with the North-East India using Indo-Bangla Protocol Route with concomitant reduction of time and logistic cost . Trade with Bangladesh through this route is in the upswing and presents bright picture. In 2021-22, SMPK handled the highest ever Bangladesh cargo traffic of 3.87 million tonnes.

Financial Turnaround: The port achieved Financial Turnaround in 2018-19 with Net Surplus of Rs 65.13 crore after more than a decade. Then onwards, a continuous increase in Net Surplus was registered from Rs 82.54 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 104.08 crore in 2020-21, Rs.120.51 crore in 2021-22, Rs. 304.07 crore in 2022-23 and further to 501.73 crore in 2023-24 (remarkable growth of 65% w.r.t. previous year).

A Major Push for PPP Projects :

• Concession awarded by SMPK for 2 PPP projects costing Rs 480 Crore viz.to Century Ports Ltd. on 24.06.2023 and M/s Adani Port & SEZ on 14.07.2023, respectively for Rejuvenation of KPD-I West (CostRs. 181.81 crores) and Mechanization of Berth no. 2 at HDC (Cost 298.28 Crore)which could lead to Incremental Capacity Addition of 6.78 MMT (approx.)
• Three more projects (Berth No 5 for HDC, Strengthening & Mechanization of Berth no. 7 & 8 NSD and Floating Crane at Diamond Harbour at a total cumulative cost of Rs.1,160 crore, incremental capacity of 4.5 MMT) are likely to reach Award stage by 2024-25.

• Major Projects awarded during FY 2023-24 :

• Development of Drainage network (Phase-IIA) on eastern side of dock basin at Haldia dock complex, Haldia under master drainage plan (Cost Rs.26.79 Cr.)
• Regarding Implementation of energy efficient / smart fittings and outdoor purpose along-with roof top solar power plant at KDS, LoI issued for Smart Light to Schnell Energy Equipment’s Pvt. Ltd. on 20.12.23 (Value : 4.76 cr. excluding GST).

• 4 Major Projects costing Rs. 201.23 cr. completed during FY 2023-24 :
• Procurement of 1 no. 40 Tonne Rail Mounted Quay Crane (RMQC) at HDC, (Cost Rs.52.82 Cr. and 0.25 MMTPA capacity addition).
• Augmentation   of   Fire   Fighting system at HOJ-I&II including 2 nos. Barge Jetties including O&M for 10 years (Cost Rs.107.49 Cr.).
• Development of GCD Yard(Cost Rs.5.87 Cr.).
• Procurement, Supply installation, Testing & Commissioning of 1 Drive-Through X-Ray Container Scanning System with 2 year on-site Warranty and 8 year CAMC with spares/ consumables for KDS (Cost Rs. 46.25Cr)-inauguratedrecently and operationalized on 02.05.2024.

• Projects in Pipeline / Future Investments: 

At KDS Capacity Addition projects viz. Mechanization of berth Nos. 7 & 8 at NSD with capacity 6.1 MMTPA, Integrated Development of Berth no.1-5 NSDand Outer Container Terminal with capacity 6.0 MMTPA, Development of container and coal berths at Balagarh, having capacity 2.7 MMTPA, Development of Concrete Jetty and other facilities for Liquid Cargo Handling at Budge Budgehaving capacity 3.63 MMTPA are in the Pipeline.

At HDC Capacity Addition projects viz. Mechanization and Integrated development of Berth no 9 & 10 with capacity 8.0 MMTPA and Outer Container Terminal having capacity 6.0 MMTPA are in the Pipeline.

Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Goals already achieved: 

• Digitization of import-export process and Yard Operations,
• Digital Transport solution to reduce congestion, RFID for entry/exit,
• Gate Appointment System for Trucks for Slot Booking,
• Real Time Container Tracking solutions under implementation with OCR technology toindicate exact Container location,
• Web based Land Management system with online payment gateway system. GIS-Based Estate Management system is under implementation,
• Pre gate facility to reduce paperwork/ traffic congestion and minimize vehicle detention time,
• Port App storing information like vessel berthing, rake & indent, container status, tariff, etc. aimed at promoting transparency/ easy 24x7 access.

Development of Container Transhipment Facility at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island:

GoI is contemplating development of an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in the Great Nicobar Island under the programme “Holistic Development of Identified Islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep”.SMPK has been entrusted by MoPSW to get the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared. Accordingly, M/s AECOM India Pvt. Ltd. has been engaged as consultant. Phase – I of the project to be developed on Landlord Model at an estimated cost of Rs.19,472 crores, will be completed by 2028. The infrastructure will be developed by Govt. of India through EPC mode and Mechanization, Operation and Maintenance will be given on PPP mode.

Night Navigation:

SMPK is set to start Night Navigation in the upper reaches of River Hooghly for vessels calling at KDS.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata is the pulsating lifeline contributing relentlessly to the country’s maritime trade. The ambitious Sagarmala Project aims to tap the coastal/IWT/maritime potential alongwith unleashing enterprise / opportunities in various port-led economic clusters in energy-efficient ways. SMPK plays a pivotal role in Prime Minister's ‘Act East’ policy being well-connected with national & state highways, railways & national waterways catering to Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, the North Eastern belt and landlocked neighbouring countries Nepal and Bhutan. The Policy also includes Kaladan Project proposing to connect SMPK with Sittwe Port of Myanmar through sea. I am confident that once again our port will emerge as the dynamic and throbbing hub port of the region.

Social & Welfare Activities :

            SMPK has been funding various activities for the benefit of Public & Society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. SMPK has introduced Pension App and Digital Life Certificate (DLC) to help its thousands of old-age pensioners.

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