Mundra Port, owned by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (Adani Ports), one of the country’s largest private port operators and part of Adani Group, created history on May 4 by handling the largest container vessel ever to have call at an Indian port. The vessel M.V. MSC Valeria, owned by Swiss-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, with overall length of 365.5 meters (1,199.2 feet), has a nominal capacity of 14,036 TEUs
“Considering the current global economic scenario, especially in the shipping and logistics sector, delivering cost efficient services to customers will be the single most important factor to the trade. I believe that by bringing 14,000 TEUs ship in India and Mundra specifically, we will certainly open a new chapter in container business of our country, which in turn will create new opportunities in the sector proving to be the game changer. India will now feature on the global route for large container shipping business,’’ said Gautam Adani, Chairman Adani Group.

There are not more than 35 ports in the world where 14,000 TEUs container vessels can be handled. Traditionally, an average container ship size is less than 4,000 TEUs in India. The 14,000 TEUs vessel will reduce the cost significantly.

``I believe this cost reduction to customers can give Mundra Port an opportunity to become a hub port for servicing not only other West and east Coasts Indian Ports but also potentially cater to the Middle-East and African markets,’’ said Adani.

According to him, having such facilities, APSEZ will have an advantage for container business especially for North and Central India hinterland through its ports at Mundra and Hazira. ``There exists in other parts of the world i.e. in Los Angeles, USA, a hub port serving other ports of America. Also in future 14,000 TEUs vessel will sail through Panama Canal and it can be visualized that India too can have similar hub port facilities and infrastructure,’’ he pointed out.

Mundra Port, the flagship port of Adani Ports, ranks second amongst Indian ports in terms of total cargo handled in financial year 2013. The new container terminal at Mundra Port has one of the deepest water depths in the country.

The Mundra Port has well established rail connectivity to North and West India. It is also connected by a railway line that is capable of handling long haul rails and double stack containers to the northern hinterland of India. The group also operates ICD at Patli and Kishangadh.