JN Port reaffirms its pivotal role as it completes 35 years
As Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) officially celebrates 35 years of successful operations on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, it once again reinforces the pivotal role that the facility, also known as Nhava Sheva Port, has played in India’s maritime landscape for over three decades. It has been a remarkable journey of invaluable service to the country’s trade and commerce.
Established on May 26, 1989, it initially handled bulk and break bulk but swiftly shifted to containers, thereby paving the way to handling millions of TEUs over the years and becoming the premier container port in India. Proactively adapting to change has been a key strength of JN Port under its dynamic leadership and the guidance of the Ministry, be it going for PPP in port operations, bringing in the best global players and practices, developing facilities like the Centralized Parking Plaza and port-based SEZ, or deciding to become a landlord port.
This has facilitated it continuously scaling new heights in volumes and other operational parameters. Last fiscal was no different, recording its highest-ever throughput of 6.43 million TEUs. Surpassing the 6.05 million TEU mark of 2022-23, the port continued its upward trajectory, marking a notable 6.27% increase in total throughput.
The total traffic handled at JNPA during the period April 2023 to March 2024 was 85.82 million tonnes, 2.33% higher compared to the 83.86 million tonnes handled during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. This included 78.13 million tonnes of container traffic and 7.70 million tonnes of bulk cargo, as against 76.19 million tonnes of container traffic and 7.67 million tonnes of bulk traffic in the corresponding period.
The breakdown of container traffic shows that 2.03 million TEUs were handled at BMCT, 1.59 million TEUs at APMT, 1.13 million TEUs at NSICT, 1.11 million TEUs at NSIGT, 0.56 million TEUs at NSFT and 7,978 TEUs at NSDT.
JN Port today also has a Turnaround Time comparable to the very best in the world, better than some of the leading global container handling facilities.
The port’s hinterland connectivity extends far and wide. It boasts a full-fledged Customs House, over 30 CFSs and links to numerous ICDs across the country. Whether by rail or road, JN Port ensures seamless movement of cargo.
Looking ahead, the port, with its five container terminals, coastal berth, shallow water berths, Liquid Cargo Terminal etc., is constantly upgrading its capabilities - under the current leadership of the Chairman, Mr Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, and his team - to offer cost-effective integrated logistics solutions, through infrastructure expansion plans and implementation of several ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and sustainability initiatives, implementation of DPD, DPE, gate automation, inter-terminal transfer system, etc.
With the second phase of BMCT’s fourth container terminal set to take the port’s capacity to 10 million TEUs by next year, the port-based SEZ gradually expanding operations, DFC connectivity on the anvil and, importantly, the mega satellite port of Vadhavan on the way to begin construction (projected to be among the top ports in the world), JN Port is set to consolidate its legacy of resilience, adaptability and unwavering commitment, and as the foremost gateway for India’s international trade.
Source: Exim News Service: Navi Mumbai, May 28