JSW Infrastructure commenced the trial run of the country’s largest river-sea vessels between JSW Dharamtar and JSW Jaigarh port facilities in Maharashtra. The JSW Raigad, of 8,000 tonnes cargo carrying capacity, was flagged off from Dharamtar to Jaigarh by Mr Atul Patne, IAS, CEO of Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and Capt. BVJK Sharma, JMD and CEO of JSW Infrastructure, among others, on Monday, November 20, 2017.
JSW Pratapgad, having similar cargo carrying capacity, was also berthed at Dharamtar on the occasion. The Bangladesh-built mini bulk carriers have the distinction of being the largest river-sea vessels in India.
Capt. Sharma, in his address, described it as a momentous occasion and a dream come true, which was conceptualised when the JSW Group took over the 3-million tonne Ispat plant nearby, whose capacity is in the process of being augmented to 10 million tonnes by end-2019. The reason for the purchase was location, technology and logistics, he said.
Ten million tonnes of capacity requires 30 million tonnes of cargo movement, a majority of which would be by water. Besides, a cement plant has also been conceived in the area, phase 1 of which is expected to be commissioned in March next year. This will result in 40 million tonnes of potential cargo movement in two years, he said, from over 11 million tonnes this year. Total investment in the location is Rs 40,000 crore.
The projected volumes required such vessels, Capt. Sharma stressed, which would take care of traffic density, facilitate economies of scale and bring down logistics cost.
He also disclosed that 30 such ships would be built, 18 of 8,000 tonnes capacity and 12 of 6,000 tonnes.
The two vessels would ply between Dharamtar and JSW Jaigarh port, the latter being the first deep water, all-weather, 24/7 private port in Maharashtra. Designed on the hub and spoke model, it can handle the over 400,000 DWT Valemax vessels.
Capt. Sharma also thanked MMB for all its support “from Jaigarh to Dharamtar”. JSW Infrastructure will continue to seek its guidance and endeavour to live up to its expectations.
Mr Patne welcomed the vessels to Dharamtar and congratulated the entire JSW team for its success. He stressed that MMB and ports are working together for growth.
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