Indus Valley Times

PPA opens up new Thermal Coal Coastal Shipping Gateway for the Western Gencos

By Pravakar Sahoo

Paradip, July 6 : As a major hub for Coastal Shipping, Paradip Port stands at No.1 position among Indian Ports, which handles the highest cargo by coastal shipping among all Ports of the country. Presently, Paradip Port handles coastal shipping of thermal coal from Mahanadi Coalfields, Talcher to Gencos of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. During FY 2022-23, it handled 42.2MMT coastal thermal coal, registering phenomenal growth of 50% over 28 MMT recorded in previous fiscal.  Traditionally, the focus has been to ensure uninterrupted supply of thermal coal to the southern Gencos. In a path breaking marketing initiative under the visionary leadership of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of MoPSW, PPA has commenced the movement of thermal coal from MCL to Gencos, located on West Coast to meet the burgeoning power demand of the Western states.

Shri P.L. Haranadh, Chairman, PPA today flagged off MV Mana carrying 52,000 Metric Tonnes coals of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd. from the EQ2 berth of PEQCTPL Terminal. The destination Port is PNP Port, Dharamtar in Maharashtra. Shri Nilabhra Dasgupta, Dy. Chairman, PPA, Shri G. Edison, TM, Capt. A.C. Sahu, Dy. Conservator, PPA, Shri Manish Gupta, Unit Head, PEQCTPL, Shri A.C. Sutar from ACE Commercial were also present during the flagging off ceremony. In the first phase, over a period of next four months, 3.5 lakh Metric Tonnes of thermal coal will be shipped on account of M/s Gandhar Coals & Mining Pvt.Ltd., Logistics & Port Management Service (PMS) by Stevedores – Ace Commercial Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Commenting on the cargo augmentation initiative, Shri Haranadh said, “Considering the logistic services available at Paradip Port, the Port is being increasingly preferred by various Gencos, as a part of coastal shipping. It is very welcoming step that, Gencos of western coast are also planning to use the services of PPA for transportation of thermal coal to these plants. The current movement to Maha Genco is only a beginning and many other Gencos of Gujrat, Rajasthan, NTPC are evincing keen interest in coastal shipping of thermal coal via Paradip Port. It is a proud moment of the Port”