Gujarat government announces new port policy

The Gujarat government has announced a new port policy to provide benefits to existing and future captive jetty players and other players. According to the new policy, the 32 operational captive jetties are now permitted to handle third-party cargo; they can increase the number of cargo handling facilities, and expand and modernise their jetties; group companies are allowed to handle cargo thereby enabling the current captive jetty companies and terminal companies to handle the cargo of a group company; captive jetty holders will be able to handle cargo of other companies by paying double wharfage charges; and the new entrant’s jetty location must be a minimum of 3 km away from an existing jetty and also outside the limit of the private port; among others. The minimum investment and the minimum port capacity will be Rs 3 billion and 5 mt respectively.