"JSW Infra Explores Bidding for Government Ports in Privatization Scheme"

JSW Infrastructure, India's second-largest port operator in terms of volumes, is actively exploring prospects in the government's port privatization initiative. The company is also considering participation in the ambitious mega transshipment port project in Galathea Bay, located in the Great Nicobar Island. Arun Maheshwari, Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Infrastructure, expressed the company's interest in these ventures during a recent interview.

Maheshwari highlighted the significant opportunities emerging in India's port sector due to the government's proactive approach. He stated, "The way the government is opening up opportunities in India is enormous. And as the second-largest port company in India with a strong balance sheet and a growing capacity in this sector, we would look at every significant opportunity in the ports sector." While confirming their exploration of the Galathea project, he noted that they are not yet certain about their participation.

JSW Infrastructure is reportedly one of ten companies, including Dutch dredging contractor Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, Container Corporation of India Ltd, and Essar Ports Ltd, that have submitted expressions of interest for the Galathea Bay project.

According to TK Ramachandran, the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, the Galathea project is estimated to be worth ₹65,000-85,000 crore.

JSW Infrastructure currently operates nine state port concessions on both the west and east coasts of India.

While the majority of its business comes from the bulk cargo segment, JSW Infrastructure has plans to expand its container and liquid cargo portfolios. The company aims to increase the share of non-bulk cargo to one-third of its revenues in the coming years. Arun Maheshwari explained, "We are recent entrants into the container and liquid segments. We ventured into the container segment only two years ago," noting that currently, the container segment accounts for just 2% of its volumes. The company also envisions partnering with major shipping lines in the container segment and has plans for potentially establishing its container port terminal in the future.

ET