India’s strategic port project at Chabahar without full-time MD

India Ports Global Ltd, the state-owned entity tasked with developing and running the strategically important and India-funded Chabahar port in Iran, has been without a full-time managing director five months, after the previous incumbent demitted office on September 18.

Interview for the post yet to be held; the list of applicants

The government received four applications for the post when it was advertised a few months ago. The interview for the post, however, is yet to be held, a government source briefed on the matter, said.

Among the applicants for the post is Alok Mishra, Head, Operations, Gateway Terminals India Private Limited (GTI), the facility run by A P M Terminals Management B V, a unit of Danish shipping group A P Moller-Maersk Group A/S, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust near Mumbai.

Salim Shikalgar, Chief Operating Officer, Ameya Logistics (majority owned by Singapore’s PSA International); Sanjay Mhatre, Vice President, Purchase, Hamilton Housewares and Lt Col Biju Warrier, have also applied for the post.

Since starting operations, Chabahar has handled over 15 lakh tonnes of cargo which includes bulk, container, livestock and general cargo, using the ship’s crane.

Two MHCs supplied by India; four more over the next few months

In January, India supplied two mobile harbour cranes (MHC) of 140 tonne capacity each manufactured by Italy’s Italgru S.r.l to Chabahar port, which are currently undergoing commissioning.

Four more MHCs of 100 tonne capacity each will be supplied over the next few months.