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The proposed deep-sea port project in West Bengal has once again attracted industry attention, with JSW Infrastructure indicating that it will closely study the viability of the newly identified site at Dadanpatrabar. The port operator, part of the diversified JSW Group, had earlier participated in the bidding process for the proposed Tajpur deep-sea port project. Although the company was among the contenders, the project eventually did not move forward after the tender process was cancelled.
With the newly elected state government now considering Dadanpatrabar as an alternative location, JSW Infrastructure believes the project warrants a fresh evaluation. Speaking about the development, Rinkesh Roy, Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Infrastructure, said the company would examine the new proposal carefully before taking a view on future participation. A key consideration, according to Roy, will be the navigational channel serving the port. The suitability of the channel, regulatory clearances and operational feasibility will play a decisive role in determining whether the location can support large-scale maritime activity.
Industry observers note that channel depth and accessibility remain among the most critical factors in the success of any deep-water port project, directly influencing vessel movement and cargo handling efficiency. The state government recently announced that Dadanpatrabar is being preferred over Tajpur because of the availability of government-owned land, which could simplify the development of supporting infrastructure such as rail links, roads, logistics parks and warehousing facilities.
While the government is yet to outline the project's execution model, discussions around the port have intensified following recent meetings between senior state officials, representatives of major port operators and the Union shipping ministry. Sources familiar with the matter have also suggested that Dadanpatrabar may offer a more favourable channel configuration than the earlier proposed site, potentially strengthening its long-term prospects as a maritime gateway on India's eastern coast.
The company has outlined a substantial investment programme aimed at modernising cargo-handling infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency at the historic riverine port. Under the proposed development plan, JSW Infrastructure intends to invest nearly ₹1,500 crore in upgrading six existing berths while also creating two additional container terminals outside the lock-gate system. Recently, the company secured a Letter of Award from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority for the integrated redevelopment of the facilities. Combined with previously awarded berths, the project is expected to provide container-handling capacity of around 1.4 million TEUs annually. One of the primary objectives is to significantly reduce vessel turnaround time. Through mechanisation and infrastructure upgrades, the company expects to lower berth occupancy from nearly 48 hours to approximately 24 hours per vessel. The improvements are also expected to increase container throughput per ship call. Advanced cargo-handling equipment will enable vessels to load and unload larger volumes during each visit, thereby improving productivity and reducing congestion.
According to Roy, these operational efficiencies could eventually lower freight costs by allowing shipping lines to undertake additional voyages each year. The integration of port operations with rail-based logistics services is also expected to create a more seamless supply-chain solution for cargo owners. Despite the challenges associated with operating a river port with relatively shallow draught, Roy believes Kolkata enjoys a distinct advantage due to its proximity to major consumption centres.
A significant proportion of the cargo handled at Netaji Subhas Dock is destined for Kolkata and the broader Bengal market. With utilisation levels already crossing 90 per cent and cargo volumes continuing to grow at a healthy pace, the company sees a strong business case for expanding capacity. As industrial activity gathers momentum in eastern India, JSW Infrastructure expects Kolkata's strategic location and infrastructure upgrades to position it as a key logistics hub for the region's next phase of growth.
For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
The proposed deep-sea port project in West Bengal has once again attracted industry attention, with JSW Infrastructure indicating that it will closely study the viability of the newly identified site at Dadanpatrabar. The port operator, part of the diversified JSW Group, had earlier participated in the bidding process for the proposed Tajpur deep-sea port project. Although the company was among the contenders, the project eventually did not move forward after the tender process was cancelled. With the newly elected state government now considering Dadanpatrabar as an alternative location, JSW Infrastructure believes the project warrants a fresh evaluation. Speaking about the development, Rinkesh Roy, Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Infrastructure, said the company would examine the new proposal carefully before taking a view on future participation. A key consideration, according to Roy, will be the navigational channel serving the port. The suitability of the channel, regulatory clearances and operational feasibility will play a decisive role in determining whether the location can support large-scale maritime activity. Industry observers note that channel depth and accessibility remain among the most critical factors in the success of any deep-water port project, directly influencing vessel movement and cargo handling efficiency. The state government recently announced that Dadanpatrabar is being preferred over Tajpur because of the availability of government-owned land, which could simplify the development of supporting infrastructure such as rail links, roads, logistics parks and warehousing facilities. While the government is yet to outline the project's execution model, discussions around the port have intensified following recent meetings between senior state officials, representatives of major port operators and the Union shipping ministry. Sources familiar with the matter have also suggested that Dadanpatrabar may offer a more favourable channel configuration than the earlier proposed site, potentially strengthening its long-term prospects as a maritime gateway on India's eastern coast. The company has outlined a substantial investment programme aimed at modernising cargo-handling infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency at the historic riverine port. Under the proposed development plan, JSW Infrastructure intends to invest nearly ₹1,500 crore in upgrading six existing berths while also creating two additional container terminals outside the lock-gate system. Recently, the company secured a Letter of Award from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority for the integrated redevelopment of the facilities. Combined with previously awarded berths, the project is expected to provide container-handling capacity of around 1.4 million TEUs annually. One of the primary objectives is to significantly reduce vessel turnaround time. Through mechanisation and infrastructure upgrades, the company expects to lower berth occupancy from nearly 48 hours to approximately 24 hours per vessel. The improvements are also expected to increase container throughput per ship call. Advanced cargo-handling equipment will enable vessels to load and unload larger volumes during each visit, thereby improving productivity and reducing congestion. According to Roy, these operational efficiencies could eventually lower freight costs by allowing shipping lines to undertake additional voyages each year. The integration of port operations with rail-based logistics services is also expected to create a more seamless supply-chain solution for cargo owners. Despite the challenges associated with operating a river port with relatively shallow draught, Roy believes Kolkata enjoys a distinct advantage due to its proximity to major consumption centres. A significant proportion of the cargo handled at Netaji Subhas Dock is destined for Kolkata and the broader Bengal market. With utilisation levels already crossing 90 per cent and cargo volumes continuing to grow at a healthy pace, the company sees a strong business case for expanding capacity. As industrial activity gathers momentum in eastern India, JSW Infrastructure expects Kolkata's strategic location and infrastructure upgrades to position it as a key logistics hub for the region's next phase of growth. For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
West Bengal is positioning itself to become a major maritime and logistics gateway in eastern India, with plans to develop a maritime economy valued at nearly $192 billion by 2047 through large-scale investments in ports, inland waterways, shipbuilding, logistics infrastructure and industrial development. The roadmap, aligned with India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, was discussed during a meeting between Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. The Centre has proposed a maritime investment pipeline worth ₹19,209 crore for the state by 2031, aimed at strengthening port-led economic growth and improving regional connectivity. The proposed projects are expected to generate more than 62,500 direct and indirect jobs while enhancing West Bengal's role in India's maritime trade network. Key initiatives include expansion and modernisation of port infrastructure, development of multimodal logistics facilities, improvements in inland water transport, shipbuilding and ship-repair capabilities, and the creation of industrial clusters linked to ports. Among the flagship projects under consideration is the Balagarh Multimodal Logistics Hub, which is expected to improve cargo movement across rail, road and waterways. The plan also includes upgrades at Kolkata and Haldia docks, riverfront development projects, cruise tourism infrastructure and investments aimed at strengthening the state's coastal and riverine transport ecosystem. The initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to expand India's maritime capabilities and reduce logistics costs through greater use of ports and inland waterways. The maritime sector currently handles the majority of India's trade by volume, making port infrastructure and shipping services critical to the country's economic growth and supply chain resilience. Government officials believe West Bengal's strategic location, access to the Bay of Bengal and established port infrastructure provide a strong foundation for future growth. Cargo volumes at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port have continued to rise, while inland waterway cargo movement in the region has expanded significantly over the past decade, creating opportunities for further investment in maritime logistics. The proposed development programme seeks to position Kolkata and Haldia as key maritime gateways for eastern and northeastern India, supporting trade, manufacturing and supply chain activities while strengthening the state's role in regional and international commerce. If implemented as planned, the investments could become one of the largest maritime development programmes undertaken in eastern India under the Vision 2047 framework. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
In a significant vote of confidence for Ukraine's maritime and logistics sector, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container shipping line, has acquired a controlling stake in a major container terminal at Pivdennyi Port near Odesa. The move stands out as one of the most notable foreign investments in Ukraine's transport infrastructure since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and signals growing confidence in the country's long-term trade potential despite ongoing security risks. The investment comes at a critical time for global supply chains. Ukraine remains an important exporter of agricultural commodities, minerals, fertilizers and industrial cargo, while its Black Sea ports serve as key gateways connecting Eastern Europe with international markets. Any enhancement in port capacity and operational stability has implications that extend far beyond Ukraine's borders, benefiting shipping lines, cargo owners, traders and logistics providers worldwide. According to individuals familiar with the transaction, ownership of a majority stake in the TIS Container Terminal at Pivdennyi Port has been transferred to members of the Aponte family, owners of MSC. The deal gives the family a combined controlling interest of 51 per cent in the terminal, making MSC a key stakeholder in one of Ukraine's most strategically important maritime assets. Located near Odesa on the Black Sea coast, Pivdennyi Port plays a crucial role in handling containerized cargo as well as bulk commodities including grain, ore, coal and fertilizers. As Ukraine's busiest port in terms of cargo transshipment, it remains a vital link in regional and international supply chains despite operating under the shadow of continued military tensions. For the global shipping industry, MSC's decision is being viewed as more than a financial investment. It represents a long-term commitment to maintaining and strengthening trade corridors that have faced repeated disruptions since the conflict began. Black Sea logistics has experienced significant volatility over the past several years, creating challenges for freight rates, vessel scheduling, cargo availability and supply chain planning. Greater investment in port infrastructure could help improve operational resilience and support more predictable cargo flows in the future. Industry observers believe the move could provide reassurance to exporters and shipping stakeholders that international logistics companies continue to see strategic value in Ukraine's trade infrastructure. The investment may also encourage additional foreign participation in the country's logistics, warehousing and transport sectors as reconstruction efforts gradually accelerate. Serhiy Vovk, Director of the Center for Transportation Strategies, described the transaction as a positive signal for the Ukrainian market, highlighting the country's long-term potential within the Black Sea trade ecosystem. The acquisition further expands MSC's footprint in Ukraine. In 2025, the company reportedly strengthened its presence in the country's logistics sector through investments in inland logistics assets, including a dry port facility and interests in a Ukrainian logistics company. The latest transaction reinforces MSC's broader strategy of integrating maritime services with inland logistics infrastructure to create more efficient cargo movement networks. The terminal's previous majority stake had been held by global logistics operator DP World. Following ownership changes earlier this year, the controlling interest was subsequently transferred to the Aponte family, completing the transaction. Beyond the immediate commercial implications, the development could eventually contribute to greater stability across regional supply chains. As cargo owners continue to diversify sourcing and transportation routes, reliable Black Sea infrastructure remains essential for the movement of agricultural products, industrial raw materials and containerized goods between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For shipping companies, freight forwarders and global traders, MSC's investment sends an important message: despite geopolitical uncertainty, Ukraine continues to be viewed as a strategically significant logistics market with long-term growth potential. If security conditions improve over time, investments of this nature could play a critical role in restoring trade volumes, strengthening maritime connectivity and supporting the recovery of regional and global supply chains. For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
