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The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata is implementing measures to cut vessel turnaround time from five to four days within a year. Chairman Rathendra Raman announced upgrades including eight mobile harbour cranes, floating cranes at Sagar Island, and night navigation to improve efficiency. Dredging is underway to boost draft levels, while new lock gates will ease congestion at Kolkata and Haldia ports. Capacity is set to rise from 87.5 million tonnes by an additional 30 million. Warehousing projects under the Sagarmala framework, along with the upcoming Balagarh facility, aim to enhance cargo handling, reduce delays, and strengthen the region's maritime connectivity.
In a move aimed at improving efficiency and reducing operational costs, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata outlined initiatives to significantly shorten vessel turnaround times. Addressing a session organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Kolkata, Chairman Rathendra Raman stated that the port's current average turnaround time of five days is expected to come down to four days within the next six to twelve months. Advertisement
Raman explained that eight mobile harbour cranes are being inducted at the port, which would substantially cut the time vessels spend at berth and enhance overall operational productivity. Night navigation has already been introduced, enabling ships to enter and leave the port after sunset, thereby reducing detention times.
Further enhancements include the deployment of floating cranes at Sagar Island for dry bulk handling in deep-sea locations, allowing larger vessels to discharge cargo more efficiently. Given the riverine nature of the port and its location within the city, draft availability and cargo evacuation have been persistent challenges. Raman noted that dredging activities are in progress to improve draft levels at both the Kolkata and Haldia ports.
The current handling capacity of the port stands at 87.5 million tonnes, with infrastructure upgrades underway to add a further 30 million tonnes. As part of its modernisation efforts, lock gates are being developed at both Kolkata and Haldia ports to enable ships to wait outside the lock system, easing congestion.
On the warehousing front, Raman referred to the Waterfront Warehouse Project, integrated with the Sagarmala Project, which adopts a landlord model whereby the government develops the infrastructure and private operators manage the facilities. This is expected to strengthen logistics efficiency and enhance regional trade connectivity. The port is also advancing the Balagarh Project, aimed at creating a new facility about 85 kilometres upstream to ease pressure on the existing Kolkata Dock System.
With mobile harbour cranes, floating cranes, lock gates, and night navigation, the port is positioning itself to handle increased cargo volumes and larger vessels. The warehousing initiatives under the Sagarmala framework, along with the Balagarh facility, are expected to expand capacity, reduce congestion, and improve connectivity, ensuring the port plays a vital role in the region's maritime and logistics network in the coming years.
Source - PTI
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