New Delhi (NVI): India has supplied a consignment of two Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) to Iran’s Chabahar port, to provide seamless cargo handling services, the Ministry of Shipping said.
These consignments are part of total contract value of over USD 25 million under a contract agreement for supply of six MHC.
“The consignment of cranes arrived from Marghera port, Italy has been unloaded successfully on January 18 at Chabahar port and presently undergoing trials run,” the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement.
It added that with 140 metric tons lifting capacity, multipurpose equipment and accessories like mobile harbour cranes will enable India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) to provide seamless services for container, bulk and general cargo at Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar.
This is a step towards India’s aim regarding infrastructure development of Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar.
On May 23, 2016, a bilateral contract between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of India was signed with a total value of USD 85 million for equipping, mechanizing and starting operations at Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar development Phase I, the ministry said.
“To achieve this aim, an SPV namely India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) Mumbai was incorporated under the ambit of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways,” it added.
Union Shipping Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the delivery of consignment of heavy equipment, including cranes shows India’s commitment to the strategic connectivity of Chabahar port project that will provide access to markets in Central Asia.
“Development of Chabahar port is the anchor for the expansion of economic and mutual relations between India and Iran and it will give a further boost to the maritime trade between both the countries,” he added.
Furthermore, the location of Chabahar Port has strategically advantage and high potential to provide connectivity among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and other CIS countries specially Eastern CIS countries to increase trade between these countries, the Ministry said.
-RJV
