Initiatives to improve EODB have resulted in ranking JNPA as India's best-performing port as per the Logistics Performance Index

- Sanjay Sethi, IAS,

Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)

What is your view on the Maritime India Vision 2030? How do you assess the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan in the growth of Indian port infrastructure?

The Maritime India Vision 2030 is a dedicated document that talks about infrastructure development, green ports, smart ports, mega projects etc. It also talks about timelines and Key Result Areas for each year up to 2030. It envisages strict monitoring to be done at 2-3 levels, including the port and Ministry. PM Gati Shakti is more of an approach that is about integrating various departments and programmes mainly for connectivity. For example, as regards road and rail connectivity, rather than the ports running after the Ministries, it is mandated that the Ministries have to provide it. Being an integrated approach, the coordination among different departments is much better. JNPA has started benefiting from both.

How do you assess the performance of JN Port in the recent years? What are the key expansion plans at the port?

When we talk about the overall experience, there are both positive and challenging aspects. The port achieved a record container handling performance of 5.68 million TEUs in 2021-22. Work on the second phase of the PSA terminal has begun, with all issues sorted out. The coastal berth was completed and the additional liquid cargo berth will be done in a year's time. The highway connectivity to the port has been almost completed, with the Rs 2,300-crore project that has significantly reduced the distance to the port. All hurdles with regard to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) have been cleared and we expect it to connect the port by this December. The Port yards are already DFCC compliant.

We are planning a common over-dimensional cargo (ODC) handling facility within the port limits, for which aspects like land requirement, investment need, the operators etc, are being worked out. This will be a completely new, innovative and time-bound project.

Talking about the challenges, of course, the major challenge was Covid which has impacted us for about one-and-a-half years. We tried to deal with it the best way we could, even though there was a reduction in traffic in 2020-21, we have made a substantial come back with a record handling of 5.68 million TEUs in FY 2021-22.

What are the major factors that have driven the growth of JN Port?

The improved infrastructure, which facilitates increased cargo, simplification of processes, and ease of doing business helped the port in better performance in operations. Studies have found that the time and cost advantage at JN Port is better than its private counterparts. This is not just because of the Port Authority, but the entire ecosystem including Customs, other stakeholders, and the local people. We have had OCR-enabled and RFID-based gate automation for more than three years, e-form 13, online berthing, DPD, Container Scanners, online payments, and e-DO which are examples of technology/digitisation helping reduce the time and making processes easier. A port's credibility and reliability improves only if one looks at both the hard and soft factors. It is not just about loading or unloading cargo to/from a vessel, but how the entire experience can be made better for the trade.

JNPA has now become the first landlord port in the country with the privatization of JNPCT. What changes will be in effect in the operations in future?

JNPCT is now a PPP terminal, with the successful bidder being a consortium of JM Baxi Group and CMA CGM and with this, we are a fully landlord port. But what remains with us is also important. One is the marine services. Then we have infrastructure department, focusing on roads, water and power. JNPA will continue to do dredging, develop and provide new infrastructure. Many of the major global ports are today landlord facilities, whose key responsibilities include marketing. We will now be taking up marketing in a more streamlined manner, with the Authority doing common port business development. Besides, we have our relationship with the PPP operators and will continue to handle their issues, including tariffs which will now be discussed and formulated at the Board level rather than by TAMP. Port-led industrialisation, development/monetisation of port land, end-to-end logistics involving developing dry ports etc, rail ICD issues such as inter-terminal transfer and more will also be the Authority's prerogative.

Which are the key port-related projects developed to facilitate better operational experience to the customers?

One of the major projects was the Centralized Parking Plaza (CPP), which has given a big boost to Direct Port Entry (DPE). ). CPP is the first of its kind in India has OCR enabled gate automation system, smart parking management system and RFID readers installed at gates for real time update. Dormitory, canteen, TT repair shop facilities are also available in CPP with 24 hrs Wifi facility. All formalities of Customs etc., including open examination, are now done at the CPP, which has significantly reduced the time and, in turn, the cost.

The SEZ and dry ports infrastructure has been completed, except some minor works at Jalna remains.

Privatisation of JNPCT was a key milestone, which was recently concluded. We have received good royalty and from a situation of losing Rs 200 crore annually, we will be gaining Rs 500 crore.

We understand the process of setting up a satellite port at Vadhavan has already been initiated. Can you shed some light on the progress of this project?

Vadhavan satellite port project is now very much on track. All studies that need to be done for environmental clearance have been completed and the detailed engineering studies are almost complete. The next step is to go for investment approval, where all the financial and engineering plans, changes in proposed cost/contours etc, are to be approved by both the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet. This should happen in the next few months. The Railways and NHAI are working on the connectivity. There has been some local opposition from those who would be impacted by the project, but we are confident of dealing with it by providing ensuring them and taking adequate measures that their livelihood will not be affected. As soon as the final environmental clearance is received, the port will be ready to go ahead.

What are the digital solutions being introduced in the port operations?

Ease of doing business is a continuous process at JN Port. With a long list, we have made plans for the next 10 years for digital as well as technology developments. We have 19 must-do solutions as part of Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, everything from new asset installation, having smart buoys, to the use of drones for dredging measurements. More infrastructure projects will be taken up. Under technology, the concept of smart port contributes to ease of doing business.

What are the sustainability initiatives undertaken by JNPA?

We have taken up a lakes rejuvenation project. There are 4-5 lakes in the JNPA area which we will be revitalising using biological techniques. It is a bio-diversity project.

Recently, JNPA launched its first Sustainability Report at the hands of Union Minister MoPSW Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, which showcases the Port's efforts towards environmental protection and sustainable development. JNPA has prepared an action plan covering all Port activities, including cargo handling, storing, evacuation and many other activities related to environmental protection. JNPA provides shore power supply to tugs and port crafts, the induction of these E-RTGCs, and many such initiatives.

On the environment conservation front, the port has undertaken many green initiatives which include harnessing solar power, a sewage treatment plant for recycling wastewater and Solid waste management plant, as we aim to be a Green Port, to maintain ecological balance. We have installed solar panels at JNPA inducted electric vehicles. JN Port has prepared an action plan covering all activities of the Port including cargo handling, storing, evacuation and many other activities related to environmental protection. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, JNPA intends to use 60% of renewable energy, Adoption of Multi Fuel (CNG/Electric / LNG), Shore Power, LNG Bunkering, Energy Efficiency Smart Lightning, Green Belt Cover, Water Conservation/Sewage Treatment, Upcoming solar plants of 2.5MWp. JNPA has taken up the project to rejuvenate water bodies near Sheva foothill at JNPA.  The Port's ecosystem consists of rich and diversified flora and fauna and out of the land available with JNPA (3402 hectares), around 1147 hectares (34%) of the Port is under green cover, including mangroves. An area of 814 Ha. is handed over to GoM for conservation.

The port considers planning and conducting operations based on sustainability principles. Port operations are examined and improved upon with respect to the perspective of energy savings and zero effluent emissions. The port not only aims to obtain economic efficiencies but also focuses on ecological and social stability. Thus environmental protection will continue to be an integrated aspect of JN Port’s planning and operations.

What kind of support are you getting from the government and agencies in port operations?

We have huge interface with the Ministry, especially with regard to the new MPA Act, MCA, tariff guidelines, regulatory changes etc., all of which purport to give more autonomy to the port. All of the steps taken by the Ministry in the last two years have helped the port. As for the state government entities, though there is no day-to-day involvement, we do interact with them regularly. CIDCO, for example, is doing our project for the PAPs. I am also on their Board. MJP is providing water to port, with MSEDCL, too, there is good interaction, especially now that we have become their franchisee.

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