SMP Kolkata Port to Reduce Vessel Turnaround Time with New Upgrades
The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata is undertaking a comprehensive and strategic modernisation drive, with a clear focus on enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainable maritime trade. In a crucial step to address historical challenges, port officials have announced a targeted plan to slash the average vessel turnaround time from the current five days to just four within the next six to twelve months. This initiative is more than a logistical upgrade; it is a key component of a larger vision to create a zero-net-carbon, eco-friendly, and economically equitable city. By streamlining port operations, the project aims to not only cut costs for businesses but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with long vessel waiting times and inefficient cargo handling.
At the heart of this transformation is a multi-pronged strategy to upgrade key infrastructure. The port is inducting eight new mobile harbour cranes, which will dramatically accelerate cargo handling and reduce the time vessels spend idle at berth. Furthermore, the introduction of night navigation has been a game-changer, allowing for 24-hour port access and significantly easing detention times. To overcome the challenges posed by the port’s unique riverine location and limited draft, officials are deploying floating cranes at Sagar Island. This allows larger, deep-sea vessels to offload dry bulk cargo in deeper waters, alleviating pressure on the main port channels and making the port a more attractive destination for international trade. These physical upgrades are complemented by ongoing dredging efforts at both the Kolkata and Haldia docks, a crucial and continuous process to maintain adequate draft levels for navigation.
The modernisation drive extends beyond operational enhancements to strategic capacity expansion and new project development. The port, with a current handling capacity of 87.5 million tonnes, is now implementing upgrades to add a further 30 million tonnes of capacity. A significant part of this plan involves the development of new lock gates at both Kolkata and Haldia, which will allow ships to wait outside the lock system, easing congestion and improving the flow of traffic. The port is also pioneering a modern logistics ecosystem through its Waterfront Warehouse Project, part of the national Sagarmala Programme. This initiative, based on a landlord model, leverages public-private partnerships to create state-of-the-art logistics facilities, which are essential for strengthening the regional supply chain and fostering a more equitable economic environment for local businesses.
In an effort to decongest the existing Kolkata Dock System and prepare for future growth, a new facility known as the Balagarh Project is being developed approximately 85 kilometres upstream. This new terminal will not only ease pressure on the city’s docks but also provide a new, green corridor for cargo movement. The overarching goal of these initiatives is to position SMP Kolkata as a vital maritime and logistics gateway for Eastern and North-Eastern India, and for neighbouring landlocked countries. This strategic overhaul is a testament to the belief that a port’s prosperity is intrinsically linked to the health and sustainability of the city it serves. By prioritising efficiency, environmental responsibility, and equitable growth, Kolkata’s port is laying the groundwork for a future that is both economically robust and ecologically sound.
