MARG KARAIKAL PORT RECEIVES MV BELUGA FANFARE - THE FIRST PROJECT CARGO VESSEL
~ 2 berths with a combined capacity of 5 MMTPA cargo ready ~
Chennai, April 15, 2009: MARG Limited, India's fastest growing integrated infrastructure company, today received MV Beluga Fanfare - the first project cargo vessel at MARG Karikal Port.
With this, for Karaikal and the East Coast, it is history being repeated. Because as per Tamil literature Karaikkal was known in the early 7th century itself, for maritime exchange. Karaikkal name is thought to have been coined from two words; Karai meaning edge or wharf and Kal meaning a small canal, (Kalvai) though the Imperial Gazetteer says the word means Fish Pass. This also would mean something of a fishing harbour. That, without doubt establishes the fact that this port was a known maritime centre.
It is also true that the maritime ventures of the South East India since the second half of first would not have been possible without the development of required port infrastructure, sea worthy ships and minimum package of maritime wisdom and skills.
MARG Karaikal Port is a state-of-the-art all-weather, deep-water port, located 280 kms South of Chennai at Karaikal. The port with 2 berths having a combined capacity of 5 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne Per Annum) is ready, with a back up area of 2.4 lakh sq. metres.
The day began with the auspicious Udaka shanthi pooja. Mr. S. A. Bhat, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Overseas Bank declared the readiness of the berth. At 11:00 A.M., the vessel MV Beluga Fanfare was received amidst great fanfare by Mr. M. S. Sundara Rajan, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Bank. Several members from the MARG team were present with their families to witness and celebrate the momentous occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. GRK Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Limited said, "At MARG, it has been our constant endeavour to identify opportunities, to synergize knowledge of global and domestic markets and to align with India's infrastructural needs. As the finest port on the east coast of India, Karaikal Port will unleash the economic potential of central Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Aimed at shouldering the ever-increasing export and import needs of the country, Karaikal Port has emerged as a successful model in Greenfield port development. This project will act as an agent of change and will bring inclusive growth to coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry".
The Port is being developed on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis. The Government of Puducherry had awarded MARG the Concession for development of the Port at Karaikal in January 2006.
MARG also acquired MARG Cauvery, a Cutter Suction Dredger; with a dredging capacity of 2000 cubm/hour, for the dredging works of Karaikal Port.
MARG Karaikal Port is envisaged to be the Gateway to central Tamilnadu, a major industrial belt with a strategic location and is poised to catalyze rapid inclusive growth in central Tamilnadu and Puducherry. Major cargo handled by the Port will comprise of Coal bulk, textile, textile machinery, cement, agro-products, Project Cargo, Containers, chemical fertilizers, etc. The Port is poised to serve as a congestion-free port and will serve the customers with advanced Cargo handling equipments, Suitable Warehouse facilities, appropriate and damage free storage, faster turn-around of Ships due to mechanization. The port will also operate on a market driven competitive port tariff structure.
MARG Karaikal port is planned to develop in 3 phases. The draft will be increased continuously to 13.5 to 16.5 Metres in stages. The Phase-I with water depths of 12.5 mts with a capacity upto 5MMTA, is capable of handling vessels up to 50000 DW. The second phase with water depths of 16.5 mts, mechanized coal handling system with a capacity upto 21 MMPTA will be ready by 2011 to handle vessels upto 120000 DWT. Phase III with a cumulative capacity of 45 MMPTA will be ready for Operation by 2015.
Special features of the port include single window professional service, paperless working, cost effective technology, best logistics support for door-to-door and online update for all customers to facilitate efficient handling cargo. Port is also poised to provide services like Bunkering, repairs of ships of small size, etc. The Port will have the capability to handle Dry and Liquid Bulk, Containers, Project Cargo, Break Bulk and General Cargo.
Construction of the port is on a vast expanse of 600 acres with a unique state of the art cargo handling and backup facilities. Port already has excellent road and rail connectivity. Optimally suited to cater to the high potential industrial belts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the port is connected with NH45A and NH67.
The major consultants/vendors associated with this prestigious project include, L&T Rombholl, DHI, Indomer Costal Hydraulics, Simplex Infrastructure Ltd, Amma Lines Ltd, International Seaport Dredging Ltd (ISDPL), Vanoord Indian Private Ltd, Akash Dredging, Aster Infratech Ltd, Roshan Electricals Company Private Ltd, Oscean Sparkle Ltd, and local contractors like Chinna Thami, Mohan, Safeway dredging, Kalaizheiyan, etc.
About MARG Limited:
MARG Ltd., formerly MARG Constructions Limited is among India's fastest growing diversified infrastructure development companies. Established in 1994, MARG Ltd. is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Headquartered in Chennai, MARG Limited is promoted by the first-generation entrepreneur Mr. G R K Reddy.
The company pioneered infrastructure development on the Chennai IT Corridor. The company's business roadmap encompasses 4 verticals – Marine Infrastructure, Industrial Clusters, Living Spaces and EPC Contracting– which has over 500 man years of technical experience in handling deep excavation works, high rise buildings, Power sub-stations, High power (above 132 KV) transmission lines.
Marine Infrastructure handles Ports & Logistics, Dredgers & Fishing Harbours; Industrial Clusters – for SEZs and Industrial Townships, Living Spaces / Real Estate - to develop commercial and residential spaces. Under the real estate vertical, MARG has already developed over 1 million sq ft of commercial space for clients like TCS, Scope International, among others.
The company's prestigious projects include Karaikal Port, MARG Swarnabhoomi, Riverside Mall, Destination Mall, Tapovan, Pushpadruma, and Hotels & Convention Centres. Also, MARG Communities Alive Council (CAC) implements the company's vision for inclusive living and focuses on sustainable community development programmes.
The company's esteemed clientele include market leaders such as Scope International (Standard Chartered Bank), TATA Consultancy Services, BHEL, Enercon India and Slash Support Systems.
More information is available at www.marggroup.com |
