Haldia Dock Complex A Comprehensive Guide

The Haldia Dock Complex is a major port facility located in Haldia, West Bengal, India. It's situated on the banks of the Hooghly River.

The complex spans over 1,500 acres of land and has a total quay length of 4,500 meters. This massive infrastructure enables the complex to handle a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and project cargo.

The Haldia Dock Complex is a crucial part of India's maritime trade, with a significant share of the country's total cargo handled through this facility. It's also a major employment hub, providing jobs to thousands of people in the region.

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The Haldia Dock Complex has a rich history dating back to the 1950s, when the search began for a suitable location for a dock near the estuary of the Hooghly River.

Geonkhali, 60 kilometres south of Kolkata, was a serious contender for Haldia due to its 26 feet draft all-round the year and ability to accommodate ships over 530 feet long.

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In 1959, the Haldia Project Report was prepared by Rendell Palmer Triton, a UK-based port consultant, which estimated that with dredging and river training works, the navigability would increase and by 1985, 80,000 DWT ships would be able to come to Haldia.

The Barauni refinery was set up in Bihar in the 1960s, an immediate need for an oil jetty was felt to import crude oil and petroleum products, which fueled plans to build a new port.

Haldia had a draft of 30 feet for all days, 32 feet for 238 days, and 35 feet for 39 days in a year, making it an ideal location for shipping.

The Haldia Dock Complex boasts an impressive infrastructure, designed to handle a wide range of cargo types and vessel sizes. The floating cargo handling terminal has a 66-metre long berth, equipped with a Liebherr CBG 300 crane and a hopper that's connected to a conveyor belt.

The terminal's jetty can handle 10,000-12,000 DWT vessels, with a minimum water depth of 8 metres. This makes it ideal for mini bulk ships, which can easily dock and unload their cargo.

Berths no. 5, no. 6, and no. 7 are dedicated to liquid cargo handling, with a combined annual capacity of 4.2 million tons. These berths have finger jetties for vessel mooring and an open storage area of 19,000 square meters for cargo storage.

The dock system at this port is quite impressive. The floating cargo handling terminal has a jetty that can handle vessels of up to 12,000 DWT.

The terminal's jetty is 66 metres long and has three mooring dolphins, providing a safe and stable place for vessels to dock. It also has two reinforced cement concrete decks, known as the crane deck and hopper deck.

The crane deck is equipped with a Liebherr CBG 300 crane, which is used to transfer cargoes from the moored vessel to the hopper. The hopper is connected to a conveyor belt, making it easy to unload large quantities of cargo.

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The terminal can handle 4 million tonnes of cargo annually, making it a crucial part of the port's operations. The minimum water depth of 8 metres ensures that mini bulk ships can easily navigate the area.

Berths no. 5, 6, and 7 have liquid cargo handling infrastructure, making them ideal for transporting non-dangerous liquid cargoes, such as edible oil and carbon black feed stock. These three berths have the capacity to handle 4.2 million tons of cargo annually.

Berths no. 6 and 7 also have a finger jetty, providing vessel mooring facilities for both berths. This allows for efficient and safe loading and unloading of cargo.

Transloading facilities are available at Sandheads anchorage and Sagar anchorage, operated with the help of floating cranes. These facilities enable the transfer of cargoes from large ships to smaller ships or barges, which are then unloaded at the Haldia Dock Complex.

The agency appointed by the Kolkata Port Trust executes the deep sea unloading operations using floating cranes, which are cranes mounted on barges. Two floating cranes, MV Yugalraj and MV Viganraj, are specifically used for deep sea cargo unloading.

Sandheads anchorage has a water depth of 40-50 metres, capable of anchoring the world's largest ships. On the other hand, Sagar anchorage has a water depth of 9-10 metres, where mainly small capesize ships anchor.

Floating crane facilities are primarily used to discharge dry cargoes like coal, while transshipment of liquid cargoes such as naphtha, propane, and butane do not require floating crane facilities.

The Port Channel is a vital component of the Port of Kolkata's infrastructure. It has two entrances from the sea, the Eastern Channel and the Western Channel.

The Western Channel is used for navigation by vessels bound for Haldia Dock Complex and has a deeper navigability than the Eastern Channel. This allows the Haldia Dock Complex to handle larger ships than the Kolkata Dock System.

The Western Channel is divided into four smaller channels: Eden Channel, Auckland Channel (upper part), Jellingham Channel, and Haldia Channel. The southern end of the Eden Channel lies in the deep sea, and the northern end is connected to the Upper Auckland Channel.

The depth of the Western Channel varies, but it has a minimum depth of 5.5 metres (18ft) and a minimum width of 345 m (1,132 ft). The natural navigability of the Western Channel's submerged sandbars is greater than 5 m.

Here's a breakdown of the depth of water in the channel at different locations:

The Ballari Channel, which lies upstream of Haldia Channel, was formerly navigable but was declared unnavigable for large vessels in 1986 due to excessive siltation.

The Haldia Dock Complex is situated at 21.20 north and 88.06 east, eight meters above sea level. It's located on the eastern coast of India in the Lower Gangetic Plain.

The dock complex is 156 nautical miles north of Paradip Port by sea and river route, and 104 kilometres south of Kolkata Dock System by river route. It's also 130 kilometres north of the deep sea and 30 kilometres inland from the Bay of Bengal by river.

Haldia has a fairly flat land slope, which is typical of the Gangetic Plain. The dock area receives most of its seasonal rainfall from the southwest monsoon from June to September, with an average rainfall of 250 mm.

The highest temperature recorded in Haldia is 44.90°C in May, while the lowest temperature is 6.90°C in December, which was recorded in 1975. The dock area falls under Seismic Zone III, indicating a moderate risk of earthquakes.

The dock is constructed by excavating the land along the river, as there is no natural harbour. The maximum depth of the dock is up to 12.5 metres, and the soil in the dock entrance basin is mainly composed of silt.

The Haldia Dock Complex is well-connected to various transportation networks, making it an important hub for cargo and goods transportation.

The dock complex is connected to National Waterway 1, which provides connectivity with North India, and cargoes are transported directly from the port to Varanasi and Sahebganj terminals through the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal.

Additionally, the port is connected with the riverine ports of Bangladesh and Indian state of Assam by National Waterway 97 (Sunderbans Inland Waterways) and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Waterway.

The dock complex is also directly connected to National Highway 116 (Old, NH-41), which connects to National Highway 16 (Old, NH-6) at Kolaghat, making it accessible to other states of the country.

This connectivity makes Haldia Dock Complex a key transportation hub, facilitating the movement of goods and cargo to various parts of the country and beyond.

The oil jetty at Haldia dock is a crucial part of the transportation infrastructure, handling liquid cargos on the west bank of the Hooghly River.

These three oil jetties have a draft of 12.5 metres (41 ft), which is impressive considering the size of the vessels that use them.

Haldia Oil Jetty I (HOJ-I) is capable of handling tankers up to 89,000 DWT, while HOJ-II and HOJ-III can handle vessels up to 1,50,000 DWT.

The distance between the mooring dolphins at HOJ-I is 290 metres (950 ft), allowing vessels with a maximum length of 200 meters to dock safely.

This is a significant improvement over HOJ-II and HOJ-III, which have a distance of 330 metres (1,080 ft) and 345 metres (1,132 ft) respectively.

The three oil jetties have an annual capacity of 10.7 million tons of liquid cargos, which is a testament to their importance in the transportation network.

HOJ-I handles 2.6 million tons of liquid cargos annually, while HOJ-II and HOJ-III handle 3.7 million tons and 4.4 million tons respectively.

The types of cargo that can be transported through these jetties are diverse, including crude oil, petroleum products, naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), para-xylene, liquid ammonia, and various chemicals and edible oils.

The infrastructure of the oil jetties is designed to handle a wide range of vessels, from the smallest to the largest, ensuring that cargo can be transported efficiently and safely.

The Haldia Dock Complex has its own railway system, which caters to the traffic demand for warehouses and sidings. Each berth of the dock has railway connectivity.

The dock's rail system is connected to the Panshkura-Haldia broad gauge railway section at Gaurich near Durgachak station. This connection is made through a fully electrified single line rail corridor that spans 11.5 kilometres.

The railway system consists of 115 kilometres of track and 2 yards. Freight trains within the dock are operated by 12 locomotives under the dock's own railway.

The annual capacity of transportation of cargos is 30 million metric tonnes. This is a significant figure, and it's a testament to the dock's efficiency.

Through the rail link, the cargoes are mainly transported to the manufacturing units of the port's customers. These customers include major companies like Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and NTPC.

The Haldia Dock Complex has a significant waterway connection that makes it a crucial transportation hub. It's connected to National Waterway 1, which provides connectivity with North India.

This waterway connection enables the transportation of cargoes directly from the port to Varanasi and Sahebganj terminals. The Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal, constructed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, plays a key role in this process.

National Waterway 97, also known as the Sunderbans Inland Waterways, connects the port to the riverine ports of Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam. This adds another layer of connectivity to the region.

The Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Waterway is another important waterway connection for the Haldia Dock Complex. This connection facilitates trade and transportation between India and Bangladesh.

Here's a brief overview of the waterway connections:

Haldia Dock Complex has a direct connection to National Highway 116 (Old, NH-41), which is a significant transportation route.

This highway connects to National Highway 16 (Old, NH-6) at Kolaghat, making the dock complex easily accessible to neighboring states.

The Golden Quadrilateral, a major network of highways, is also connected to the dock complex through National Highway 16 (Old, NH-6).

The dock complex is accessible to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha through this network of highways.

Travelers can easily reach the dock complex by car, making it a convenient option for those who prefer to drive.

Government activities are ongoing at the Haldia Dock Complex.

The complex has a tender for "unloading and stacking of IU rails, 60 kg required for the work." This suggests that the complex is in need of new equipment to maintain its railway tracks.

The Government Departments in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, have issued several tenders for various projects at the complex. These include the procurement of 60 kg IU rail for buffer stock and need-based maintenance of railway tracks.

The complex is also looking to upgrade its security and surveillance systems with the installation of radar-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and speed sign display boards for speed violation detection systems.

The Calcutta Port Commissioners played a crucial role in the management of the port until 1975. They were responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the port.

The Calcutta Port Commissioners were established in 1870 to take over the management of the port from the East India Company. The port was a vital hub for trade and commerce in the region.

The Commissioners were headed by a Chairman, who was responsible for making key decisions about the port's operations. The Chairman was assisted by a team of officials who helped to implement the decisions.

The Calcutta Port Commissioners were responsible for maintaining the port's infrastructure, including its docks, warehouses, and other facilities. They also oversaw the recruitment and training of port staff.

The port's operations were subject to the supervision of the Government of India, which had the power to make changes to the port's management structure.

The Calcutta Port Trust has been a vital part of India's maritime history since its inception in 1870, but let's focus on the period from 1975 to present.

In 1975, the Calcutta Port Trust was nationalized, and the Indian government took control of the port's operations.

The port's cargo handling capacity increased significantly after the nationalization, with a major expansion of the dock facilities.

The port's container handling capacity was also enhanced with the introduction of new container terminals.

The Calcutta Port Trust has been working towards reducing its environmental impact, with initiatives such as the use of cleaner fuels and reduced emissions.

The port's cargo handling capacity continues to grow, with a focus on handling more containers and bulk cargo.

The Calcutta Port Trust has also been working on improving its infrastructure, with plans for a major expansion of the port's facilities.

In West Bengal, government departments are actively engaging in public procurement and land auctions.

The Haldia Dock Complex area is home to a plot available for auction, measuring 24100 square meters, specifically designed for setting up a truck terminal with allied facilities.

Government departments in West Bengal are also issuing tenders for various goods and services.

A tender was issued for the procurement of 500 watt LED luminaires, specifically for floodlights, as per IS 10322 and IS 16107 standards.

Government departments are using the Gem Portal to manage these tenders and ensure transparency in the procurement process.

The specifications for the LED luminaires are detailed in Annexure-B, which is available for reference by interested bidders.

The Government Departments in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal have a wide range of tenders and auctions available.

One of the tenders is for the procurement of 500 watt LED luminaire for floodlight purposes as per IS 10322 and IS 16107 specifications.

The unloading and stacking of IU rails, 60 kg, is also required for the work of procurement of 60 kg IU rail for buffer stock, need-based maintenance of railway tracks, and other minor work at Haldia, Haldia Dock Complex.

The Government Departments are also seeking to supply, install, and commission radar-based automatic number plate recognition cameras and speed sign display boards for speed violation detection systems inside the dock zone.

There is also a tender for underwater inspection/survey, underwater re-fixing of 7 nos. vertical quoin plates, and underwater replacement of quoin plates holding rusted/worn out/damaged bolts of outer and inner caisson gate at lock entrance of Haldia Dock Complex.

The Government Departments are looking for a budgetary offer for the work of supply, installation, operations, and maintenance of smart meters with pre-payment features for 10 years in residences of port employees and in premises of outsiders.

A tender is also available for the procurement and supply of four nos. brush cutter machines for conservancy work under RZ Section, I&CF Division, Haldia Township, HDC.

Cars can be impounded for various reasons, such as unpaid parking tickets or expired registration.

In some cities, you can get your car back after paying the fines and fees, but it's a hassle.

A car can be impounded for 30 days or more, depending on the jurisdiction.

If you're planning to travel, check the parking regulations in your destination to avoid getting your car impounded.

Impound fees can range from $50 to $500 or more, depending on the location and duration of the impoundment.

If you're unable to pay the fees, you might need to sell your car or take out a loan to cover the costs.

The Haldia Dock Complex operates 24/7, ensuring that cargo can be handled at any time.

The complex has a total quay length of 4,500 meters, allowing for the simultaneous handling of multiple vessels.

With a draft of up to 14.5 meters, the complex can accommodate large vessels, including bulk carriers and container ships.

SMP Kolkata is set to break its own record for cargo handling. The port has already achieved an all-time record in FY24, handling 66.4 million tonnes of cargo.

It surpassed the previous highest record of 65.66 MT in FY23. This demonstrates the port's growing capacity and efficiency.

The port's second dock system, Kolkata Dock System, plays a crucial role in its operations, allowing it to handle a significant amount of cargo. Together, the two dock systems can handle around 87.5 million tonnes of cargo a year.

The port aims to handle around 70 million tonnes of cargo in FY25, a notable goal considering its recent achievements.

Operations can be streamlined with the right tools and strategies.

In the past year, our team has seen a 30% reduction in operational costs by implementing a more efficient workflow.

A single point of failure in our production process can lead to significant downtime and lost revenue.

We've identified 5 key areas to focus on to minimize the risk of operational disruptions.

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