- Next-Generation Port Infrastructure by APSEZ Promises Faster Cargo Flow and Lower Logistics Costs
- 4-MMTPA Mechanised Facility on Hooghly River Strengthens Eastern Maritime Trade Corridor
- Direct Ship-to-Rail Evacuation System Set to Transform Industrial Supply Chains
- Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti Vision Gain Momentum with Strategic Port Modernisation
- Coal, Bauxite and Limestone Logistics for Steel, Power and Aluminium Sectors Get a Major Boost
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated to the nation the Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT)—India’s first fully automated dry-bulk cargo facility—marking a major leap in modernising port logistics along the country’s eastern seaboard.
Developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), the state-of-the-art terminal at the Haldia Dock Complex within Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, has an annual handling capacity of 4 million metric tonnes (MMTPA) and features full mechanisation, automated cargo handling and direct rail connectivity.
Strategically located on the Hooghly River, the facility is designed to streamline the handling of coal and other bulk commodities while improving efficiency and reducing cargo loss—an upgrade expected to benefit the industrial belts of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.
A benchmark for automated port operations
APSEZ leadership said the terminal sets a new standard for operational efficiency on the eastern maritime corridor.
“The Haldia Bulk Terminal is a next-generation facility that brings full mechanisation and direct rail evacuation to the Hooghly, setting a new benchmark for efficiency on India’s eastern seaboard,” said Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ.
“By eliminating jetty dumping and lowering cargo loss through advanced automated systems, we are ensuring cleaner, safer and more sustainable operations. The terminal will strengthen industrial supply chains of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand while supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of lowering logistics costs through modern multimodal infrastructure.”
Delivered on Time Under DBFOT Model
The terminal has been developed under a 30-year concession using the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model by HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd.
Construction began on July 14, 2023, and the project was completed within the planned timeframe—demonstrating APSEZ’s capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects with speed and precision.
Transforming Cargo Movement
A defining feature of the facility is the 2,000-tonne Railway Wagon Loading System (RWLS) paired with a 1.54-kilometre dedicated rail line, enabling direct ship-to-train cargo transfer.
This system allows bulk cargo unloaded from vessels to move directly onto railway wagons connected to the national rail network, significantly reducing port dwell time and improving cargo turnaround.
Other key infrastructure additions include:
- Refurbishment of the existing jetty
- Installation of advanced automated conveyor systems
- Deployment of two stacker-cum-reclaimers for automated stockyard operations
- Addition of two mobile harbour cranes to accelerate vessel discharge
Strategic Boost for Eastern Industry
India’s eastern coast accounts for nearly 60% of the country’s dry-bulk imports, including coal, bauxite and limestone—critical raw materials for the steel, aluminium and power industries.
With its advanced cargo-handling systems and rail-linked evacuation, the Haldia Bulk Terminal is expected to cut logistics costs, reduce cargo losses and accelerate industrial supply chains across eastern India.
Aligning with National Infrastructure Vision
The project aligns closely with the Government of India’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, including the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, both aimed at creating integrated multimodal transport networks.
Prime Minister Modi’s dedication of the terminal underscores the strategic importance of strengthening India’s maritime gateways and building globally competitive port infrastructure.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Installed Capacity | 4 MMTPA |
| Cargo Type | Dry bulk (coal and other commodities) |
| Draft | 8.5 metres |
| Berths | 1 berth (193 m length; extreme mooring points: 337 m) |
| Mobile Harbour Cranes | 2 |
| Stacker-cum-Reclaimers | 2 |
| Railway Wagon Loading System | 1 unit (2,000-tonne capacity) |
| Dedicated Rail Line | 1.54 km |
| Conveyor System | 2.10 km |
| Concession Period | 30 years |
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