India: Seaports and Shipping

[Euromast]

ABG Shipyard bags Rs 2,377 cr order for rigs

MUMBAI: Private sector ship builder ABG Shipyard Ltd on Friday said that it has bagged a Rs 2,377.41 crore (480 million US dollar) order for building
two rigs from Essar Oilfields Services Ltd, Mauritius.

These self-elevating jackup rigs would have the operating capacity of up to 350 ft. Water Depth and a drilling depth capacity of 30,000 ft, ABG Shipyard said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

These rigs are designed for year-- round Gulf of Mexico and 50-year return period North Sea environment in accordance with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) assessment criteria, it said.

The innovative features of this design include increased storm criteria, extended reach cantilever, lightweight, an efficient drilling package, and F&G's Advanced Rack Chock System.

The rigs also includes single point discharge system and high preload system, it added.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Essar Shipping & Logistics Ltd with its main focus on offshore and onshore drilling activities.

Shares of the company closed at Rs 117, up 1.39 per cent from the previous close on the BSE.

Economic Times

[robin_a_p]

Originally Posted by robin_a_p

http://manoramanews.manoramaonline.c...tentId=4699108

Kerala govt. submitted formal proposal for Poovar shipyard

Some points highlighted in the proposal

* 2.5 Kms long shore available
* 13 mts depth
* availability of land
* close to Vizhinjam port

The location is close to Trivandrum city and upcoming vizhinjam port

[Naresh]

GPPL to invest another Rs 260 crore in Pipavav Port

MUMBAI: Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited, on Monday said it will invest an additional Rs 260 crore to dredge 14.5 metre draft and further improve
accessibility to the port.

GPPL has entered into a contract with Zinkcon Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster to undertake capital dredging to increase the acceptance draught from 12.5m to 14.5m. It is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009, according to a company statement.

"We have presently undertaken construction of an additional container yard to support a container cargo volume of 6,00,000 TEUs (20-ft container equivalent) per year, expected to be completed by the year-end. We intend to construct container yards for supporting container cargo volume of additional 6,70,000 TEUs by December 31, 2009," Gujarat Pipavav Port's Managing Director, Philip Littlejohn, said here.

Port Pipavav is a preferred gateway to New Delhi and other markets in north-western India that allows shippers an alternative to the traditional routing via the congested infrastructure around Mumbai.

Littlejohn said with the deeper draft, Pipavav offers a safe port for even larger container vessels that cannot anchor at major ports in India.

The port has road and rail connectivity and the rail freight costs from our on-dock facility to the north Indian inland container depots (ICDs) are lower and the current maximum capacity of the rail link is 22 trains per day in each direction, he added.

Cheers

[Rasnaboy]

The first berth of the Rs. 1,400-crore facility is ready; ships may dock ahead of schedule


STIMULATING GROWTH: A cutter suction dredger in action at the Karaikal port.

KARAIKAL: The first berth of the Rs.1,400-crore Karaikal port is ready and the first ships may dock by March 2009, ahead of schedule, according to M. Subramanyam, Executive Director, Karaikal Port Private Limited (KPPL).

The deep-sea, all-weather port is being built at Vanjore, near here, on 600 acres under a build-own-transfer (BOT) basis.

The Puducherry government has leased out the land for 30 years to Marg Constructions in 2005. It is renewable twice for 10 years each. Speaking to The Hindu, Collector N. Vasanthakumar said the port would create tremendous scope for development. The projected employment (direct and indirect) by the company was around 6,000-8,000. It would provide increased stimulus for economic activity in the district.

The work is progressing smoothly with four dredgers operating to provide a depth of 14 metres near the berths in the first phase, G. Rajeswar Reddy, Senior Manager (Projects), KPPL, said.

Nine berths are planned and Phase I was earlier scheduled for completion by April 2009 with the construction of two berths and the breakwater. Mr. Reddy said that nearly 80 per cent of the breakwater work had been completed, besides the first berth. More than 70 per cent of the work on the second berth was also complete, and the port would be ready for its first visitors by March.

The port is designed to primarily handle coal and cement for the industries in the hinterland at Ariyalur, Perambalur and Tiruchi. It will provide an alternative to Chennai and Tuticorin ports, which are far removed from these places, G. R. K. Reddy, chairman and managing director, Marg Constructions, said.

With an initial handling capacity of 4 million tonnes and projected total handling capacity of 30-40 million tonnes, the port would benefit the industries by cutting the cost of transport from Chennai or Tuticorin, he said. Since coal would be handled to a large extent, a captive power plant was feasible, Mr. Rajeswar Reddy said.

“We are ready to build even a 500 MW captive plant if the government authorises us,” he said. A container terminal to be ready by 2013-2014 will also enhance the types of cargo that can be handled by the port.

Doubts over road connectivity

However, as the Rs.415-crore Phase I nears completion, doubts over road and rail connectivity persist. The company has sought that work on the rail link between Nagore and Karaikal be expedited to ease freight movement. Western Bypass Road, a long-standing demand in the district, also needs to be completed soon to allow the port to function at its maximum capacity.

Good roads connecting Karaikal and Kumbakonam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur will benefit movers of cargo, Mr. Rajeswar Reddy said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/16/stor...1655330500.htm

[GJ10]

NYK, Wallenius Wilhelmsen plan Mundra Auto Terminal

India’s Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone Ltd. said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s NYK Line and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics of Norway to establish a dedicated automobile terminal at the west coast port.

“Mundra port is set to become a hub for handling automobiles because of its proximity to major auto manufacturers in the north and west India,” the Indian company said in a release announcing the new venture.

Japanese automakers Nissan and Maruti Suzuki, part of Suzuki Motors, will start exporting vehicles through Mundra, primarily to Europe, in January. They will initially use the port facility, with annual capacity of 200,000 units, until the planned terminal becomes operational.

Currently, state-owned Mumbai and Chennai are the only two ports in the country that have facilities to handle automobile exports.

(related news)

Maruti Plans to Drive up Presence in Europe

KOLKATA: Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest passenger carmaker, is poised to expand its presence across European markets. The company,
which aims to notch up exports of 2 lakh cars by 2010-11 , will kick off exports from its upcoming dedicated car terminal at Mundra Port in January 2009. The first consignment to be shipped through this port facility will comprise Maruti's newly launched small car, the A-Star . The terminal has been set up by Maruti Suzuki for exports meant for the European Union only.

"Maruti will be able to park some 30,000 cars at the terminal which will be spread over 35 acres. We have inked a 20-year lease agreement with Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone Ltd for the terminal. We will have a dedicated jetty for exporting our cars. The terminal will be ready by mid-December and the first shipment comprising the A-Star is slated to take place in January . This terminal will only deal with cars meant for European markets," managing executive officer (production) MM Singh told ET.

The company will export 1 lakh units of A-Star to European markets. In Europe, Maruti's major markets include France, Netherlands, Hungary, UK and Italy. Netherlands, in fact, is the biggest export destination for Maruti Suzuki with over 67,700 units.

Maruti Suzuki India is also tipped to double exports of existing models to non-European markets from around 53,000 units in 2007-08 to reach 1 lakh units by 2010-11 . Back in 2000, the company had started exporting the `Alto' to Europe. But three years ago, it discontinued selling the Alto across Europe. "Now with A-Star , Suzuki will once again ride on the brand image created over the years. Suzuki Alto is a popular compact car in Europe," Mr Singh said.

Even Maruti 800 has remained a popular choice in some European countries. By October, the company had exported over 73,000 units of Maruti 800 since Maruti Suzuki started operations in India in 1986. Incidentally, the Indian facility has so far exported over 5.43 lakh units of different models since inception. Out of this, over 2,81,000 units were exported to Europe alone.

[krishnancv]

Does anybody know the drafts available at all the major ports? Ports of Colombo, Rotterdam, Dubai etc operate with 20 m and above. Sowould like to know these and also that of the upcoming Vallarpadam and Vizhinjam ports.

[Naresh]

Originally Posted by krishnancv

Does anybody know the drafts available at all the major ports? Ports of Colombo, Rotterdam, Dubai etc operate with 20 m and above. Sowould like to know these and also that of the upcoming Vallarpadam and Vizhinjam ports.

krishnancv Ji :

Do a Google Search for Colombo Port Trust, Port of Rotterdam and Port of Dubai.

Also do the same for Mundra, Pipavav JLN Port and Vizhinjam as well as Vallarpadam.

Whilst at it also get information on the various new Ports i.e. the Mumbai Outer Harbour, Chennai, Ennore, Karikal, Visakhapatnam, Gangavarm, Cuddalore etc.

In addition you can go though the Twenty Three Pages and get most of the information that you required.

Note : You will be surprised at the Water Depths in Colombo and Dubai (Port Rashid) as they are nowhere near 20 Metres

Cheers

[Rasnaboy]

The unsavoury experiences of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in its efforts to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the path of augmenting
port facilities, strongly suggest that the private sector should partner the efforts of the government and autonomous statutory bodies like Major Port Trusts, at the early stages of identification of projects.

A case in point is the proposed development of Vasco Bay as a port terminal, for which MPT has been striving since the last decade. Participation of trade and industry bodies like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, FIEO, etc., would have been invaluable in expediting the port project at MPT. Even now, the constructive intervention by these organizations will act as a strong catalyst in the process of activating the dormant projects.

Development of Vasco Bay as port terminal comprises a well protected and tranquil water area of 175 acres within the notified limits of MPT, Goa. The bay is an excellent site for development of port infrastructure in the form of at least 6, if not 8 berths, with minimum expenditure as it needs no land reclamation or dredging. It also has excellent road and rail connectivity.

Despite all these, the project remained undeveloped for years due to occupation by some 400 odd slum dwellers of the MPT land within 50 yards of the HTL on Vasco beach, and also due to the existence of somewhat make shift fishing jetty at Khariwada within arm's length of Berth No 11. The terminal can be developed, if and only when the families residing there are relocated, and the fishing jetty shifted to a location outside the bay. This will only happen when the concerned authorities allow that to happen.

MPT has been making consistent efforts for many years to obtain possession of the land, and shift the jetty to another location. Very recently, it has taken up the matter under the Integrated Housing Slum Development Programme of the centre. Under this scheme, each families will be given one or more residential units, depending their present area of occupation of the MPT land, free of cost.

It has also also agree to bear the cost of the slum development along with the centre. It has appointed a center-approved consultant for preparing the DPR and implementation of the rehabilitation programme. However, as always, there are some residents, influenced by vested interests, trying to sabotage the scheme and stall the development.

MPT has also offered to construct a world-class fishing jetty for the fishermen within MPT limits. It would provide the Khariwada fishermen a safer, extremely modern and better equipped fishing jetty. For this MPT is on the verge of obtaining environmental clearance from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

Anticipating likely resistance from the local residents and fishermen to the relocation of the fishing jetty, as well as to the rehabilitation of the slum dwellers, MPT has asked the MoEF to permit holding a public hearing in which all concerned can be given an opportunity to voice their views. The fishermen and the Khariwada encroachers are expected to protest strongly.

Further, in all likelihood, there will be no support from the local government to the proposed plans of MPT. In such circumstances, there is every likelihood of the public hearing going against the efforts of MPT to develop the port infrastructure.

MPT, therefore, feels that CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and such enlightened representatives of the corporate sector should pitch in and contribute their utmost in convincing the concerned authorities of the necessity of clearing the Vasco Bay of the impediments.

The proposed public hearing would be an ideal forum for organizations to voice their views. If this opportunity is not availed of, the lone voice of MPT for development would be lost in the combined cacophony of the protests. On the contrary, if the trade bodies air their views there is every chance of better sense prevailing upon the authorities thereby enabling healthy growth of the economy of Goa and that of the nation.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/3777480.cms

[krishnancv]

Originally Posted by Naresh

krishnancv Ji :

Do a Google Search for Colombo Port Trust, Port of Rotterdam and Port of Dubai.

Also do the same for Mundra, Pipavav JLN Port and Vizhinjam as well as Vallarpadam.

Whilst at it also get information on the various new Ports i.e. the Mumbai Outer Harbour, Chennai, Ennore, Karikal, Visakhapatnam, Gangavarm, Cuddalore etc.

In addition you can go though the Twenty Three Pages and get most of the information that you required.

Note : You will be surprised at the Water Depths in Colombo and Dubai (Port Rashid) as they are nowhere near 20 Metres

Cheers

yeah but there are ports with draft 20m and above like port of Rotterdam, Dampiere in Australia, Saldanha bay in SA and the Madeira port in Brazil.

[satsukhoi]

[harsh1802]

Cool view.

[sakrishna]

Navayuga bags Rs 6,000-cr port project in Orissa

“The phase-I of the project spanning four years would cost Rs 2, 000 crore.”

Our Bureau
Hyderabad, Dec. 22 Navayuga Engineering Company, which developed the Krishnapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh, has bagged yet another port project. It has won the mandate for setting up a Rs 6,000-crore deep water, all-weather port at Astaranga in Puri district in Orissa.
The agreement was signed between the company and the Orissa Government in Bhubaneshwar on Monday in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik. “The phase-I of the project spanning four years would cost Rs 2, 000 crore”, Mr C.V. Rao, Chairman of CVR Navayuga Group, told Business Line after signing the agreement. Raising funds forphase-1 would not be a problem as the Group at present held an order book of Rs 20,000 crore.
The award mandates the company to share sizeable revenues with the State Government, while mobilising funds on its own to construct the port.
The Hyderabad-based infrastructure company would develop the Port Astaranga on build-own-operate-share-transfer (BOOST) basis for a concession period of 30 years. This could be extended to 20 years more.
The revenue share to the Government is fixed at 5 per cent for the first five years, eight per cent up to tenth year, 10 per cent up to 15th year and 12 per cent for the remaining period of 15 years.
Mr Rao said that the two sides would sign a detailed concession agreement within six months.
The mandate also included providing dedicated rail connectivity to the port. The first phase of the project would be operational in four years.
The agreement was signed by Mr Pradeep Kumar Jena, Secretary of Commerce and Transport Department, Government of Orissa and Mr Rao.

LINK

[krishnancv]

Mitsui arm to operate car carriers from Chennai, Ennore ports
Both ports set to become hub for car exports.


A file picture of Hyundai cars being loaded for exports on to a car carrier at Chennai port.
T.E. Raja Simhan

Chennai, Dec. 26 Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL), the Japanese multi-modal transport group, has formed a new company in India to transport cars from Ennore and Chennai ports. Called MOL Auto Logistics (India) Pvt Ltd, the Chennai-based company will operate car carriers from the two major ports to nearby Asian countries from next year, according to an official.

Exclusive carriers
“We will run exclusive car carriers for Nissan to Ennore port and for Hyundai to Chennai port,”from the 2009 end and for Hyundai from Chennai from 2009 first quarter,” the official said. Mitsui will transport cars from Nissan’s upcoming plant in Oragadam (near Chennai) to Ennore, and Hyundai’s vehicles from Sriperumbudur plant to the Chennai port, he said.

MOL arm
Mr Satoshi Katada, Resident Officer of Mitsui O.S.K. Bulk Shipping (Asia Oceania) Pte Ltd, will be the representative of the new company, which will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of MOL. The new company will have an initial paid-up capital of ¥40 million (Rs 2 crore).

It will be handling inland transport service by car trailer in India and port services for completed export cars, according to information available in the company’s Web site.

The move — to start a new company — is a response to rising production capacity of completed cars for India’s domestic market and export trades.

Export volume
Since export volume of completed cars from India is expected to increase, MOL established this company in Chennai to provide inland transport and export-related port services.

Transport services
Utilising the know-how, inland transport of completed cars accumulated in Thailand, China and Indonesia, the new company will provide a range of safe and reliable transport services, the company said.

Eyeing other car makers
Both Chennai and Ennore ports are set to become hub for car exports from South India. After Hyundai, the two ports are looking at other manufacturers.

French car-maker Renault SA and its affiliate Nissan Motor of Japan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu Government for setting up a manufacturing facility near Chennai. It plans to export around two lakh cars every year through Ennore port.

Multilevel parking
The ChPT is considering a multi-level parking yard on a build, own and transfer basis at a cost of Rs 24.90 crore. Hyundai exported around 1.15 lakh cars during 2006-07 from the Chennai port and had plans to increase to two lakh cars annually by 2009.

On its part, the Ennore port plans to construct an exclusive terminal for cars at a cost of Rs 140 crore.

The berth’s depth of 12 metres would enable loading of 5,000 cars at a time, according to sources.

link:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...2751191600.htm

[krishnancv]

GSPC may relocate LNG terminal site at Mundra port
Pratim Ranjan Bose

Kolkata, Dec 26 Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) may have to relocate its proposed LNG terminal at Mundra port.

The new site will also be located within the peripheries of Adani group-promoted Mundra Port and SEZ. Adani group has 25 per cent equity participation in the project.

According to sources in both the companies, the new location for the terminal may be finalised as early as next week. GSPC holds 50 per cent controlling stake in the project.

The sources said that the project site was proposed to be relocated to reduce the expenditure on land filling and reclamation as well as to accommodate the enhanced project size.

Capacity enhancement
GSPC has already indicated that the capacity of the terminal may be enhanced by 30 per cent from the initial estimates of five million tonne a year to take advantage of the reducing costs of construction.

The estimated total project cost remains unchanged at Rs 3,000 crore-3,500 crore.

Project Schedule
While both GSPC and Adani group official sources maintain that the project will be completed within the scheduled time-frame of 2012, industry sources told Business Line that the change in location at this stage might impact the commissioning schedule.

According to sources, GSPC has already conducted soil testing and seismic survey of the earlier project site and was about to start some initial groundwork.

As things stand now, the company may have to change the initial project drawings to suit the new location and carry out those tests once again.

Contract
GSPC has already awarded front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the LNG terminal to Tractabel of Belgium. The FEED is likely to be ready by March-end or early April.

Talks are also likely to begin with prospective LNG suppliers overseas in early 2009 to tie up supplies. The terminal aims to have a mix of spot and long terminal supplies.

link: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...2750110300.htm

[Naresh]

Originally Posted by krishnancv

yeah but there are ports with draft 20m and above like port of Rotterdam, Dampiere in Australia, Saldanha bay in SA and the Madeira port in Brazil.

krishnancv Ji :

Many thanks for your “Profile” which I have just noticed.

As such I would now continue our dialogue.

Of the ports with draft 20m and above like port of Dampiere in Australia, Saldanha bay in SA and the Madeira port in Brazil please let us know as to the “Annual Container Capacity, Productivity and Movements" of these ports.

Also please enumerate the Commodities “Serviced-Traded” by these Ports.

Many Thanks in Advance.

Cheers

[ajithv]

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the project of Construction of Deep Draught Iron Ore Berth at Paradip Port on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis at an estimated cost of Rs.5.91bn, out of which Rs.5.06bn will be borne by the BOT operator while Rs.851mn will be borne by the Paradip Port Trust.

The length of the approved BOT Iron Ore Berth would be 370 meter, alongside depth of (-)17.1 meter which will be capable of handling vessels of 1,25,000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) and will have developed stacking area of about 82,125 sqm. The project is to be implemented within a period of 36 months from the date of award of the concession.

The following are the benefits/results of the project:

(i) The project will help in de-congestion of Port due to handling of Iron-ore in higher capacity vessels upto 1,25,000 DWT.

(ii) Reduce Sea freight which will make Iron-ore exports more competitive in the International market.

(iii) Boost the industrial economy in the hinterland of Port leading to creation of job opportunities.

Source

[Rasnaboy]

Chennai, Jan 6 The Andaman & Nicobar Islands plans to improve its port infrastructure with a Rs 500-crore project to establish a dock and ship repair facility at Port Blair. It will be executed as a public-private partnership project.

Being closer to the international ship route and to the major ports on the east coast, and ports in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, the repair facility could cater to the requirement of ships visiting these ports.

The Port Management Board of the Island itself has around 100 ships that require annual maintenance works. Currently, the ships of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are sent to either Colombo or Kolkata port for annual maintenance, according to a source.

Feasibility report

There are around 540 islands within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and of these, 29 islands have inhabitants. The 100 plus ships of the Board crisscross the islands to provide basic requirement, including food and water, said a source. The Port Management Board plans to conduct a feasibility study and financial viability of the project.

If found viable, the project will be awarded to a private entity through a competitive bidding process. A consultant will be appointed to prepare the techno-economic feasibility report.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...0751011600.htm

[bobbie501]

Gangavaram port waits for Sonia Gandhi to launch operations

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Gangavaram Port management is waiting eagerly for getting the consent of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for launching commercial operations even as it has handled a million tonne plus cargo ever since the first ship m.v. Timios Starros arrived on August 3, 2008.

The date of commissioning is getting delayed even as the scheduled commencement of operations was April 2008. “The Mumbai terror attacks and scaling up of security for Ms. Gandhi are also the reasons for the delay in getting a confirmed date from her. Delay or no delay, we are getting cargo vessels to keep us busy,” an official of Gangavaram Port Limited, told The Hindu.

Though the handling charges being a Greenfield port are higher than Visakhapatnam Port - the government run second best port in the country - Gangavaram Port is able to get bulk cargo due to its advantage being a fully mechanised futuristic port.

First phase

Of a Rs.1,700 crores investment in the first phase with a handling capacity of 35 million tonnes through five berths, a consortium of 13 banks led by SBI had lent a loan of Rs.1,200 crores to D.V.S. Raju-led group. In GPL, while Mr. Raju has 59 per cent stake, the State Government has been given 11 per cent equity in lieu of 2,800 acres it has been allotted. Visakhapatnam Port which is already losing committed cargo from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and other major industries due to competition posed by Gangavaram Port in the neighbourhood, is getting ready to augment its infrastructure after senior IAS officer Ajeya Kallam took over as its Chairman. “We are confident of facing the competition,” Mr. Kallam said. As part of its preparation, Visakhapatnam Port is developing night navigation, deepening of channels to handle bigger vessels and mechanised cargo handling.

Visakhapatnam Port is expected to finish second this year too having emerged as the frontrunner for seven years in a row till Kandla Port snatched away the top slot during last fiscal. According to trends, Kandla will retain the top position this year too with Visakhapatnam Port maintaining almost the same cargo handling figures of last financial year.

Visakhapatnam Port had handled 33.13 million tonnes during first half of 2008-09 as against 37.85 million tonnes by its arch-rival Kandla. During last fiscal, Visakhapatnam Port had recorded a throughput of 64.60 million tonnes.

Ambitious plans

Gangavaram Port management which wants to develop a gateway port to the world being the deepest multi-purpose port, has big plans. It is an all-weather port with a depth of 21 metres and capacity to handle Super Cape size vessels up to 200,000 DWT capacity. It can handle bulk, coal, iron ore, fertilizer, steel and wet cargo in future with its master plan envisaging construction of 29 berths with a capacity to handle 200 million tonnes throughput with single point mooring system to receive Very Large Cargo Vessels.

[Arul Murugan]

Cars ready for export in Mundra port-Gujarat



Dinakaran tamil daily

[GJ10]

Cross Posted in Gujarat Projects Thread

Rs 35K-cr (US$7.154 Billion) investment proposed in Bhavnagar

Coastal areas of Bhavnagar district will see investment worth Rs 3,5000 crore (US$7.154 Billion) in the near future as over 50 MoUs for industrial projects in different sectors will be signed between various organisations and the state government at Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit in Ahmedabad.

Bhavnagar district collector Pradeep Shah said Grasim Industries cement project near Mahuva town will sign an MoU worth Rs 3,000 crore (US$613 Million). The other major projects on which MoUs will be signed are for Rs 400 crore (US$82 Million) ship building unit of Modest Infrastructure at Ratanpar village near Ghogha Port and Rs 140 crore (US$29 Million) Silica Gel project of Madhu Silica.

Besides these projects, MoUs for 40-odd small units in food processing sector and some ginning mills in Mahuva, Talaja and Bhavnagar talukas will also be signed, said Mukesh Pandya, general manager, Bhavnagar District Industrial Corporation.

Mehul Vadodaria, president, Saurashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said over 7,000 new job opportunities in the district will be created by the proposed investments.

When contacted, Bhavangar mayor Rina Shah said investment worth Rs 15 crore (US$3 Million) will be made in food processing, engineering, chemical and plastic sectors within BMC limits for which 14 MoUs will be signed