Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has been awarded the letter of intent (LOI) for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the container facility at Netaji Subhas Dock within Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. This contract marks a significant milestone for APSEZ, enhancing its presence on the eastern coast of India.
Following a competitive bidding process, APSEZ secured the five-year O&M contract, which stipulates that the company must deploy necessary cargo handling equipment within seven months from the date of the letter of acceptance (LOA). Netaji Subhas Dock, the largest container terminal on India’s eastern coast, handled approximately 0.63 million TEUs in the fiscal year 2023-24. This facility serves a vast hinterland including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, and the northeastern hill states, as well as landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
The Kolkata port is a crucial node in the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade route. The port benefits from regular liner services connecting it with major hub ports such as Singapore, Port Kelang, and Colombo. APSEZ’s involvement is anticipated to significantly enhance connectivity between Netaji Subhas Dock and its other container ports, particularly the transshipment hubs at Vizhinjam and Colombo, both set to be commissioned this year.
According to Ashwani Gupta, CEO of APSEZ, securing the contract highlights the company’s commitment to developing infrastructure in West Bengal. Gupta expressed confidence that their extensive experience in managing container terminals will bring significant benefits to customers and residents of the state.
This development is poised to enhance the operational efficiency of Netaji Subhas Dock, supporting economic growth in the region and improving logistics connectivity across India and its neighboring countries.