The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) is a 50:50 joint venture of L&T and Tata Steel. DPCL has been awarded a concession by Government of Orissa to build and operate a port north of the mouth of river Dhamra in Bhadrak district on BOOST (Build, Own, Operate, Share and Transfer) basis for a total period of 34 years including a period of 4 years for construction. The lease period may be renewed or extended for two additional periods of 10 years each on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
During Phase-I, DPCL has constructed two fully mechanized berths of 350 meters each along with backup facilities for handling imports of coking coal, steam/thermal coal, limestone and export of iron ore. Phase-I also includes a 62 kilometer rail link from Dhamra to Bhadrak/Ranital Link Cabin on the main Howrah-Chennai line. The estimated capacity of Phase-I is 25 million MT per annum.
The location of Dhamra in close proximity to the mineral belt of Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal and its deep draft suitable for large vessels is going to make Dhamra port the most cost-effective and efficient port on the Eastern coast of India.
Company achieved Financial Closure for Phase-I of the project in February'07 with signing of a loan agreement with the consortium of lenders led by Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). The construction of Phase-I commenced in March'07 and was completed in 4 years. The Port became commercially operational on May 06th, 2011.
