Operating under the auspices of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal consists of a shallow water berth and a dedicated coastal berth with a quay length of 320 m and 250 m respectively. The facilities are now being operated by JM Baxi Ports and Logistics under a 30 year lease agreement signed last year.
The main container terminals at JNPA generally handle container services operating on a weekly basis and calling within fixed berthing windows. As part of efforts to cater for non-window vessels carrying multipurpose cargoes which arrive on ad hoc basis, JNPA has allowed such vessels to be handled at the JM Baxi shallow water berth.
Under this initiative Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal recently handled its first container vessel, UAFL Athens, operated by Benlines on behalf of United Africa Feeder Lines. Around 230 TEU or containers were handed during its stay at the berth.
In order to promote the new JNPA policy Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal will in future be providing berths to other ad hoc services which find it difficult getting a slot on a timely basis at other terminals at Jawaharlal Nehru Port on a regular basis.
JM Baxi is investing heavily to enhance facilities at both the shallow berth and coastal berth. This includes the recent delivery of three new mobile harbour cranes which will improve handling efficiency for a wide range of cargoes, including container traffic.