Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, is set to strengthen its cargo-handling capacity with plans to develop new container and coal berths as part of its ongoing infrastructure expansion programme.
The proposed berths aim to accommodate rising container volumes and increasing demand for bulk cargo handling, particularly coal, which remains a key commodity for eastern and northeastern India. The expansion is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time, and improve overall cargo throughput at the port.
Port officials indicated that the new container berth will be equipped with modern handling equipment and upgraded yard facilities to support higher volumes and larger vessels. The coal berth, meanwhile, is planned to streamline bulk cargo operations with improved mechanised handling systems, minimising manual intervention and improving environmental compliance.
The move aligns with the port’s broader strategy to modernise infrastructure, attract greater private investment, and strengthen its competitive position among major Indian ports. The development is also expected to support industrial growth in the hinterland, including power, steel, and manufacturing sectors that depend heavily on coal imports and containerised trade.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has been focusing on capacity augmentation, digitalisation, and multimodal connectivity to enhance its role as a key maritime gateway in eastern India. Once operational, the new berths are projected to significantly boost the port’s annual cargo-handling capacity and reinforce its role in regional trade and logistics networks.
