Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), one of India's premier container handling ports, flagged a trial operation at the newly constructed coastal berth. The maiden trial run commenced with the handling of 'ONGC Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) GREATSHIP DHRITI' in the presence of Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT, and Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Deputy Chairman, JNPT.
To provide an impetus for coastal cargo movement, JNPT undertook the project of constructing a dedicated berth for coastal shipping under the ‘Sagarmala’ program of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The construction of the coastal berth was completed in November 2020. This berth will provide better infrastructure for coastal shipping and decongest rail and road networks, ensuring cost-competitive and effective multi-modal transportation solutions.
Speaking on the first trial run, JNPT Chairman Sanjay Sethi, IAS, said, “The construction of the dedicated berth is in tune with the government’s policy to promote coastal shipping to shift freight from road to an environment-friendly and cost-effective mode of transport. The coastal berth will aid the smooth and faster coastal movement of cargo through a green channel. Apart from meeting the objectives of the Ministry, the coastal berth will help increasing coastal shipping share in the domestic cargo movement and help the EXIM community.”
