ABG Infralogistics Ltd. has started a lawsuit against Kandla Port due to the cancellation of a 30-year container terminal operation agreement. The company is also seeking a compensation of some INR 3.1 billion as it insists that the termination of the deal was prompted by a default of the Gujarat port, which is controlled by the union government.

Kandla Port Trust announced that it will launch a slew of new projects to be developed at an investment of about INR 6,000 million at the port in Gujarat, paving the way for increased logistics facilities at the important port on the Gulf of Kutch. There will lay the foundation stone for three new berths and a barge jetty at the port. The foundation stones will be laid for berth numbers 13, 15 and 16, to be developed within two years by RAS Infraport Pvt. Ltd, JRE Infra Pvt. Ltd. and PSL Infrastructure & Ports Pvt. Ltd, respectively. Together, the three berths will cost an estimated INR 5,440 million and have a proposed handling capacity of six million tonnes a year (mtpa). The barge jetty of IFFCO Kisan Bazar & Logistic Ltd. will also be of two mtpa capacity with the estimated cost being INR 270 million. The INR 280 million to INR 320 million mobile harbour crane is of 63-tonne capacity with the handling capacity of 2.4 mtpa. The modern deep-drafted berths are being added at Kandla port through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Four berths in a single line of 1.2 km will provide facilities for berthing bigger ships requiring draft of 13.5 m. Construction of one of these berths has already started. These berths will have modern handling equipment and rail connectivity for faster evacuation of cargo. Though the fourth berths have designed capacity of eight mtpa, each can go up to four mtpa with advanced equipment if installed at an extra cost. All kinds of cargo except liquid and containers are allowed in the concession agreement. The Kandla port campus of the IMU will be the first such facility in Gujarat that will provide skilled manpower to the marine sector.