On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) inaugurated container operations at its newly developed Berths 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhas Dock and revived the fully mechanised Thermal Coal Handling Berth-3 at Haldia Dock Complex, marking two significant milestones in the port’s infrastructure expansion.
The launch of container operations was marked by the berthing of M V Nawata Bhum, the first vessel to call at the newly developed terminal. Operated by JSW Infrastructure under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the vessel is scheduled to discharge 249 TEUs and load 295 TEUs, taking its total container handling to 544 TEUs during the maiden voyage.
Speaking on the occasion, SMPK Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi said the commencement of operations at Berths 7 and 8 represents a major step towards strengthening the port’s container handling capabilities. He added that the development will be followed by the proposed Outer Berth Project, also to be developed by JSW Infrastructure, which will become Kolkata Port’s first outer berth.
According to SMPK, these projects, along with the ongoing modernisation of other berths, are designed to significantly enhance cargo handling capacity, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the port’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.
In another major development, the port also announced the successful revival of the fully mechanised Thermal Coal Handling Berth-3 at Haldia Dock Complex. The facility will handle coal supplied by Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (ECL) for thermal power plants in southern India through an integrated rail-to-sea logistics network.
The first railway rake carrying ECL coal is expected to arrive at the berth on July 7, marking the resumption of mechanised coal handling operations.
The upgraded facility is equipped with a rapid wagon tippler, mechanised conveyor systems, and high-capacity ship loaders, enabling seamless movement of coal from eastern coalfields to Haldia by rail before onward transportation through coastal vessels to power utilities in southern India.
SMPK said the integrated logistics model is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and support the country’s coastal shipping initiatives while strengthening Haldia’s role as a key energy logistics hub.
The twin inaugurations underscore SMPK’s continued efforts to modernise its infrastructure, expand multimodal cargo handling capabilities, and reinforce its position as one of India’s leading gateway ports.
