Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata today announced the formal commencement of the commercial operations at the Century Ports Limited Terminal, located at the historic Khidderpore Docks (West).
The inauguration ceremony, a pivotal milestone for the port, was led by Chairman SMP Kolkata, Sri Rathendra Raman, today.
The Century Ports Terminal represents the first successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to become operational at the SMP, Kolkata. This project is a testament to the transformation of the oldest dock system in Kolkata into a modern, multimodal container and cargo terminal, with integrated connectivity to road, rail, and inland waterways.
The inauguration was attended by dignitaries, including Dy. Chairman Sri Samrat Rahi, Director and CEO of Century Ports Limited Terminal, Sri Asutosh Jaiswal and the Heads of Departments of Kolkata Dock along with officials from Kolkata Police and Century Ports.
With a project cost of Rs. 190 crore, the terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a Mobile Harbour Crane, a Barge Unloader and other modern yard equipment. The advanced Terminal Operating System (TOS) is designed to ensure a faster turnaround for vessels and maximise operational efficiency. In its initial phase, the terminal has a capacity to handle approximately 1.65 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers and 3.3 lakh tons of other cargo.
The concession agreement for the terminal’s operations was signed in 2022 for a duration of 30 years, highlighting a long-term commitment to enhancing the region’s port infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Raman stated, “Today marks a historic moment for SMP, Kolkata, with the inauguration of our first PPP terminal at the Khidderpore Docks. This milestone is the result of relentless effort, collaboration, and vision. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Century Ports Limited for partnering with us in this transformative journey and to the dedicated team of SMPK, whose commitment has made this achievement possible.”
In this context, Shri Asutosh Jaiswal, Director & CEO of Century Ports Limited, said that “It is a moment of pride for Century Ports to be entrusted with the responsibility of operating the first PPP terminal at SMPK. We are deeply thankful to the SMPK authority for this opportunity and for their unwavering support in bringing this project to fruition”.
Following the successful commissioning of this project, SMP, Kolkata is committed to advancing more berths under the PPP model. The port authority has a pipeline of over 4,000 crore in projects scheduled for operation under PPP at both the Kolkata and Haldia docks within the next year, reinforcing its role as a key player in India’s maritime sector.