SMP Kolkata begins midstream container handling at Diamond Harbour

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) Kolkata carried out its first-ever midstream container handling operation at Kolkata Dock System (KDS) at 04:30 hrs on 25 April at Diamond Harbour Anchorage.

During the operation, export containers from the inland barge Waterways 1 were lifted and loaded onto the vessel MSC Andrea F using a self-propelled floating crane, Shreeji Samruddhi. The activity was conducted without the use of a berth or jetty, directly on the river.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Chairman Rathendra Raman, in the presence of the Deputy Managing Director, Traffic Manager and Secretary of SMP Kolkata.

With this development, gearless vessels can now call at Diamond Harbour and handle containers midstream using the natural draft available. The move is expected to reduce ocean freight costs for exporters and shipping lines, improve vessel turnaround time, and speed up container movement.

The initiative also allows SMP Kolkata to enhance its operational capacity without the need for additional berthing infrastructure.

The operation is expected to integrate with the extended gate at Balagarh Multimodal Terminal, enabling smoother cargo movement from the hinterland through inland waterways to Diamond Harbour, where containers can be loaded onto mainline vessels.