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A total of five companies, including terminal operator Vopak, are said to have shown an interest in building a new liquid storage terminal for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), according to local media reports.

In addition to Dutch firm Vopak, NN Kumar, Deputy Chairman at JNPT, is cited as saying that Adani, Aegis Logistics, IMC and United Liner Agencies of India (ULA) are also expected to submit their applications on the October 21 deadline date.

The terminal is expected to be built in two phases and, once completed, will be able to handle 15.5 million tonnes per annum. The project includes the plan to build a liquid jetty and a tank farm spread over 70 hectares.

According to Kumar, the new facility will store petroleum products and lubricants as well as chemicals and edible oils.

JNPT already has a twin berth liquid cargo terminal that is operated by the state-owned oil refining companies Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation. However, with a current capacity of 5.5 million tonnes, waiting times of six to seven days are an issue that the port is looking to resolve with the new liquid terminal project.

Fourth container terminal

Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva, is the largest container port in India. The bidding process to expand the port's container capacity further, and build the fourth container terminal, has started. The names of the qualifying bidders are due to be announced in 10 days, Kumar is cited as saying.

The new container terminal will be 2,000 metres long and add 4.8 million TEU of capacity. JNPT plans to reach 10 million TEU capacity by 2017.

Following the announcement of the qualifying bidders, the selected companies will then given a price bidding form and the winning bid is expected to be announced by mid-January.

Adani Ports, APM Terminals, Dubai Port World, Essar Ports, International Container Terminal Services, Port of Singapore Authority, Sterlite Ports and United Liner Agencies of India (ULA) are all said to have participated in the qualifying process.