Reliance to develop two ports for SEZ units, retail biz

N.K. Kurup

Mumbai , Nov. 16

Reliance Industries plans to develop two ports at Rewas in Maharashtra
and Sikha in Gujarat to support its SEZs and retail business.

Though details are not available, officials associated with the projects
reckon that these all-weather ports would require investments of more
than Rs 5,000 crore.

Reliance has already bought the controlling stake in Rewas port from its
original promoters, Amma Lines, which got the right to develop the port
from the Maharashtra Maritime Board.

Reliance's plan is to develop Rewas (located 10 nautical miles away from
Mumbai), a multi-cargo port with a draft of at least 15-18 feet, capable
of handling large vessels.

Different model

Although the original promoters have done some preliminary work,
Reliance has to start from getting the environment clearance, as its
project model would be different, said an official of the Maharashtra
Maritime Board. The board holds minority stake in the port. As per the
plans, the first sets of berths would be ready in two years.

The Rewas port will provide link to the Maha Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
SEZs, two of the four SEZs being developed by Reliance. The other two
SEZs are in Gujarat and Haryana.

Reliance recently launched its retail venture with the opening of
Reliance Fresh stores in Hyderabad and has major plans to extend the
network to other States.

The new ports with facilities to handle and store perishable goods may
also help Reliance better manage its logistics.

Sikha port

The second port being planned at Sikha would be a general cargo terminal
with facilities to handle large container vessels. This will mainly
provide an export route to the refinery and petrochemical units at RIL's
SEZ in Gujarat.

Initially, the terminal will have two berths with facilities to handle
containers and break bulk cargo, said a Reliance source. The port will
also handle third party cargo, as captive cargo may not be enough to
ensure full capacity utilisation, the source added.

Construction of the terminal may take less than two years, as the
company, which operates Asia's largest oil terminal at Jamnagar, has the
capability to implement port projects in the shortest possible time.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/17/stories/2006111703530700.htm