Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata has officially ended its joint venture with Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Despite this separation, both organizations remain dedicated to advancing India’s ship repair industry. SMPK plans to enhance its independent capabilities while expressing openness to future collaborations, reflecting a significant change in the sector’s dynamics.
JSW Infrastructure Limited has received approval from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee port authority for reconstructing berth 8 and mechanizing berths 7 and 8 at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Dock. This £740 billion public-private partnership project aims to enhance container processing and boost operational efficiency, aligning with the government’s privatization strategy.
JSW Infrastructure, part of the $24 billion JSW Group, has secured a 30-year concession to renovate two berths at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Dock. They will pay ₹4,678 per container in royalties, surpassing Adani Group in bidding. This project marks JSW’s initial venture into Bengal’s port and logistics sector.
Kolkata Port plans to transform three floating vessels—P L Rupsa, P L Hooghly, and P L Gopal—into cultural hubs along the Hooghly River. This initiative aims to attract hospitality brands to create cafes and museums, enhancing the riverfront experience and promoting sustainable tourism by blending tradition with innovation.
The Kolkata port authorities are repurposing three historic river ships into floating venues for tourism and culture, inspired by the successful transformation of the vintage paddle steamer PS Bopal. This initiative aims to revitalize the Hooghly River’s banks, merging heritage with modern attractions like cafes and event spaces.
The Kolkata port has initiated night navigation on the Hooghly River, significantly cutting vessel wait times and improving efficiency. The first successful night transit was the container ship MV Sinarpenida, enhancing operational flow. Modern navigation technologies and illuminated infrastructure support this advancement, promising increased daily ship throughput at the port.
Kolkata Port has launched a state-of-the-art Navigational Simulator to improve training for pilots and maritime professionals on the challenging River Hooghly. Developed at a cost of Rs 60 lakhs by ARI with guidance from IIT Madras, the simulator will provide realistic training scenarios to enhance skills and efficiency in vessel navigation.
Mandovi Drydocks and Ripley Stevedoring have joined forces to establish a shipbuilding and repair facility at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. With an initial investment of Rs 200 crore, the joint venture will focus on building 6,000-8,000-ton ships, expanding to larger vessels in the future. This aligns with India’s efforts to develop its maritime industry.
SMPK plans to award PPP projects worth over ₹800 crore in the next three months. Projects approved at Netaji Subhash Dock aim to increase container and cargo handling capacity. These projects, executed in DBFOT mode, are part of a larger effort to enhance efficiency and capacity within the port system.
