The 550-metre berth of Essar Bulk Terminal Limited (EBTL) in Hazira is being expanded by a further 1,100 metres to accommodate the steady growth in cargo throughput at the port. With the expansion, the capacity of the Hazira terminal will increase from the existing 30 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 50 MTPA. Post completion of expansion, the port will have capability of simultaneously handling 7 vessels at any point of time.
Essar Bulk Terminal is investing INR 750Cr in the expansion project, which along with the existing investment of INR 2,450Cr, will take the total investment in Hazira port to INR 3,200Cr. The port has a draft of 14 metres, which allows direct berthing of the largest of bulk cargo carriers. The Company has dredged an 8.8-km channel on the Tapi river. Approximately, 80 million cubic metres has been dredged until date, making it one of the largest dredging activities in the country.
Mr Rajiv Agarwal, CEO & Managing Director, Essar Ports Limited, said: “EBTL has huge potential and is moving in the right direction to unlock that potential. Its performance in the last one year has been extremely heartening. I have no doubt that the expansion project will help the company scale new heights.”