26-Oct-2021: For the first time in the Major Ports in India, Radio over Internet Protocol system inaugurated at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
In view of a much needed solution for providing effective long range Marine communication, the Radio over Internet Protocol (ROIP) System at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP, Kolkata), was inaugurated last evening. ROIP system is being introduced as a marine communication mode, for the first time in any Major Indian Port. It shall cover the entire Hugli river Estuary from Kolkata to Sandheads, having base stations at 4 Locations. With this facility, vessels at Sandheads can be directly communicated via Radio, from Kolkata, especially during storms and inclement weather.
Shri Vinit Kumar, Chairman, SMP, Kolkata has appreciated this development, stating that despite being the only riverine port in the country, SMP, Kolkata has been constantly maintaining its pivotal position in Indian Major Ports for the past 152 years.
17-Oct-2021: For the first time in the history of major ports, Ship-to-Ship operation of LPG undertaken at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
The restricted draft in the river channel necessitates offloading of part cargo at neighbouring ports before calling at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) or Kolkata Dock System (KDS) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust). Consequent to two port discharge, vessels incur dead freight and additional steaming time. To obviate the inherent channel constraints, SMP Kolkata has endeavoured to open up opportunity for importers to bring in Cape Size or Baby Cape vessels at the deep drafted anchorages located at Sagar, Sandheads and X Point and enable handling of fully laden dry bulk vessels through deployment of Floating Cranes or ship cranes. Over the years good number of dry bulk vessels have been handled at the lighterage points.
Due to the strategically advantageous location, HDC has witnessed incremental demand from trade in terms of catering to LPG, imported POL products and other liquid cargo.
The gradual increase in the volumes of LPG imports at HDC is placed below:
Quantity of LPG imports at HDC in MT :
- FY 2016-17 : 20,22,520
- FY 2017-18 : 24,90,374
- FY 2018-19: 34,61,547
- FY 2019-20: 40,16,894
- FY 2020-21: 48,48,193
Several discussions with the senior management of the Oil Manufacturing Companies like BPCL, IOCL, HPCL and other leading private importers of LPG and other liquid products pointed to the intrinsic benefits that can be harnessed through extending the facility of Ship–to-Ship Transfer (STS) of LPG/ Liquid Cargo at the Deep drafted anchorage points of SMP, Kolkata. The Single Port Handling would not only enable to overcome draft restriction at Haldia thereby negating dead freight but also help in mobilization of more cargo thereby reducing unit costs.
HDC, SMP, Kolkata took a pioneering initiative to explore STS Operations of LPG within its limits to handle fully laden vessels and requested Customs Authorities to allow such operations. Matter was pursued with Customs and they kindly considered the request and issued necessary permission on 26.04.2021 allowing such STS Operations. Further, to promote lighterage operations in general, SMP Kolkata extended substantial discount in terms of vessel and cargo related charges and an additional concession towards Tug Hire Charges was extended by the port specifically for STS Operation at Sandheads.
As a result of this pioneering initiative, the first ever STS Operations of LPG in Indian Coast was undertaken by BPCL on 15th October, 2021. BPCL engaged service provider M/s Fendercare Marine to render the services at the offshore STS location.
M/s. Fendercare Marine Omega, a renowned company in STS operation of Liquid Cargo is providing the logistics support. Tug for berthing the vessel at STS site and towing/placing of large size Yokohama fenders is being provided by SMP Kolkata.
The Mother vessel MT YUSHAN with a parcel load of 44551 MT cargo carried out STS operation with Daughter Vessel MT HAMPSHIRE at Sandheads. The cargo operation commenced at 1248 hrs. on 15.10.20121 and completed at 0606 hrs. on 16.10.2021. Thus, within a short span of around 17 hrs., a quantity of 23051 MT of cargo was transferred to the daughter vessel.
The STS Operation for BPCL was earlier done at Male and by doing STS Operation at HDC, BPCL will save valuable foreign exchange. This Operation at HDC reduces the time taken for a daughter vessel by 7-9 days from BPCL’s other location for STS operations which consequently entailing savings of around US $ 3,50,000 per voyage on account of BPCL.
The instant STS operations is expected to open new business potential not only for the country’s oldest riverine Major Port but also benefit the trade and country as a whole in terms of saving substantial foreign exchange. Thus the STS operation at SMP, Kolkata is likely to emerge as a game changer in the overall economics in handling of imported LPG in the Indian Coast.
7-Aug-2021: Exceptional Financial Performance By NALCO During First Quarter of 2021-22
NALCO, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has begun the financial year 2021-22 with robust financial and physical performances. The net profit in the first quarter ended 30th June has jumped to Rs.347.73 crore from Rs.16.63 crore achieved in the corresponding period of the previous year. Beating market expectations and amidst challenging business environment, the company has demonstrated remarkable performance across all its business segments.
The company has reported revenue from operations of Rs.2474.55 crore, an increase of 79.2% YoY. This performance is mainly propelled by strong demand, higher volumes, better realization and effective capacity utilization of its operational units.
On the production front, NALCO has put up an impressive performance. Production of bauxite in mines, alumina in refinery and aluminium in smelter plant have exceeded the respective figures achieved during the first quarter of the last financial year.
7-Jan-2021: 41st Foundation day of NALCO celebrated
Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri Pralhad Joshi said that NALCO will invest around Rs. 30000 crores by financial year 2027-28 on the company’s expansion and diversification plans. Shri Joshi was addressing the 41st Foundation Day of NALCO today at the company’s headquarters in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.
Out of this proposed investment, the company will spend over Rs. 7000 crores on the 5th stream refinery, Pottangi bauxite mines, bauxite transportation system from south block & Utkal D & E coal mines. Remaining Rs. 22000 crores will be spent on smelter and captive power plant (CPP) expansions, which also include expansion of the company’s smelter plant at Angul district in Odisha with construction of a 1400 MW feeder CPP.
“With the ambitious growth plans that NALCO has for the future, it will contribute significantly to the alumina and aluminium sectors having a multiplier effect in the production and consumption of this strategic metal and achieve Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision under the stellar leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji,” Shri Joshi said.
Shri Joshi also said that the central government is extending all round support to the mineral rich state Odisha to avoid any interruption in the mineral production of the country. He stressed that in view of the requests made from state government, central government will amend concerned rules so that smooth production of minerals could be ensured and non-serious players barred from participating in mineral block auctions.
“Specially to expedite iron ore production in Odisha, we have approved the proposals to allot 02 iron ore mining blocks to Odisha Mineral Corporation and 01 block to Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd on the request of the state.” Shri Joshi said.
An MoU has also been signed between Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (OMECL) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) for exploration of mineral blocks of OMECL. This will unleash the mineral potential in the state thorough extensive surveys and exploration. Moreover, in order to expedite the auction of mineral blocks in Odisha, relaxation in norms is also being considered.
Notably, an auction regime was introduced by Ministry of Mines for allotment of mineral blocks in India through an amendment made in MMDR Act in 2015. As per laid down procedures made through this amendment, leases for 46 mineral blocks were getting expired in March 2020, majority of them were situated in Odisha. To keep the mineral productions uninterrupted, the central government brought The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, in January 2020, that broadly mandated the state governments to take advance action for auction of mineral blocks so that the new lease holder could be decided before existing lease gets expired. Secondly, it was also mandated that approvals and clearances shall automatically get transferred to the new owners of mineral blocks for a period of two years from the date of grant of new lease. During this period, the new owners could apply and get fresh clearances. This helped the new owners to continue with hassle free mining operations.
Shri Joshi said that NALCO, in association with the Government of Odisha is also setting up a world class Aluminium Park in Angul, in close proximity to its Smelter Plant to encourage development of downstream and ancillary industries in the state of Odisha. This will enhance employment in the area and give boost to local entrepreneurship.
About NALCO
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is a Schedule-A Navratna CPSE under Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The Company is one of the largest integrated Bauxite-Alumina-Aluminium- Power Complex in Asia. The company contributes to production of 32% Bauxite, 33% Alumina 12% Aluminium in India. It is recognized as the lowest cost producer of Alumina & Bauxite in the world. The Company has its business in more than 15 countries. NALCO is rated as one of the highest net foreign exchange earning CPSE in the country. The company has its operations in the tribal dominated District of Koraput and Angul in Odisha.
8-Jun-2021: PowerGrid Fully Commissions India’s first VSC based HVDC System
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power, Government of India, has commissioned Monopole-I of the ± 320 kV, 2000 Mega-Watt (MW), Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) Voltage Source Convertor (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) System today. This Project strengthens the power system of Southern Region of our Country. It may be recalled that Monopole-II of the project was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 19th February, 2021 and with the commissioning of Monopole-I, the project has attained its full capacity.
The Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC system, costing Rs. 5070 crore, is a part of the Raigarh-Pugalur-Thrissur 6000 MW HVDC system and enables transfer of 2000 MW to Kerala through the VSC HVDC station at Thrissur.
The state-of-the-art VSC Technology has been brought to India for the first time by POWERGRID through this Project. The VSC technology significantly reduces the land requirement compared to the conventional HVDC systems and is particularly suitable for areas, where land is scarce. It also facilitates development of smart grid and improves system resilience under various operating conditions. A unique feature of this project is the combination of overhead line and underground cable to address the restricted availability of transmission corridor in Kerala.
Major HVDC equipment like interface transformers and IGBT-based power convertors, AC equipment such as Gas Insulated Sub-station, switchgear, controls and relay panels have been supplied by factories in India, thereby giving a major boost to the Prime Minister’s Make in India program. A significant part of the design, engineering, testing and commissioning for this VSC project has been done in India , aligned to the Prime Minister’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
20-Jan-2021: POWERGRID signs agreement with State Government to improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh
To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), the PSU under Ministry of Power, has recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd. (HPSEBL) in Shimla (H.P.) for utilization of 500 Kms of OPGW Telecom network. This is in addition to the existing 350 Kms of OPGW laid on HPSEBL Extra High Voltage (EHV) lines already being used in the state to boost its connectivity. This total 850 Kms long telecom network will enable POWERGRID Telecom to reach remote areas of Kangra, Una, Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Palampur, Sundernagar, Banikhet, Amb, Paonta Sahib, Nahan etc.
Due to rough weather conditions, landslides and difficult terrains, the state had been facing limited telecom network reach, and this will give much needed connectivity to remote areas of the state.
Through this OPGW Network, Telecom Service providers will be able to provide uninterrupted mobile/Internet services to the people of the state.
POWERGRID has created over 67,500 km of OFC network connecting over 1000 plus locations across the country carrying traffic in multiple of 10G/100G in rings. The POWERGRID OFC network covers all the important towns & cities of the country along with the hilly & difficult terrains of J&K and North Eastern Region. The Company has also provided the domestic leg of International Connectivity to Bhutan and Nepal, and proposed connectivity to Bangladesh up to the Indian border to International Long Distance (ILD) Licensees.
About POWERGRID: POWERGRID, a ‘Maharatna’ CPSE under Ministry of Power, Government of India and Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of India, is India’s principal power transmission company and also one of the largest power transmission utilities in the world. POWERGRID’s vast transmission network comprises of ~168,140 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, 252 EHVAC & HVDC substations with transformation capacity of about 420,630 MVA, spread across the country. This network has been consistently maintained at an average availability of >99%. The Company’s shares are listed on the BSE and the NSE and are a part of S&P BSE SENSEX and NIFTY.
30-Sep-2020: POWERGRID signs MoU with Ministry of Power, Govt. of India detailing targets for year 2020-21
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Power, Govt. of India on September 29, 2020. The MoU has been signed by Shri Sanjiv Nandan Sahai , Secretary (Power), Government of India and Shri K. Sreekant, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID in the presence of senior officials from MOP and POWERGRID.
The MoU includes targets related to various parameters such as Financial, Physical, Project execution, etc. to be achieved by POWERGRID during the FY 2020-21.
POWERGRID, a Maharatna Company and the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of the country, has been consistently receiving highest rating under MoU since signing of the first MoU for FY 1993-94. As on March 31, 2020, the company owns & operates over 163,282 ckm of transmission lines, 248 EHV sub-stations with transformation capacity of more than 4,09,899 MVA.