CMA CGM Group subsidiary CMA Terminals (CMAT) and J M Baxi Group’s unit J M Baxi Ports & Logistics have secured a tender for the privatisation of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT) in India.

The joint venture (JV) partners will form a new entity, called Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal, for the development of the multi-user terminal on the Indian west coast.

CMAT and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics will each own a 50% stake in the terminal.

As part of the 30-year concession agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the partnership will upgrade, operate and maintain Jawaharlal Nehru Port, as well as develop a 15m-deep drafted container terminal.

Under the deal, Nhava Sheva will acquire JNPCT’s 680m quay length and 54ha yard and expand its capacity up to 1.8 MTeus by upgrading the equipment, yard and systems.

A rail freight corridor linking the terminal to key production and consumption centres in India will further expand the intermodal connectivity of Nhava Sheva’s terminal.

With 20 branch offices across India and a combined workforce of 7,528, CMA CGM Group has carried out operations in India for more than 33 years.

Separately, the Kolkata port in the Indian state of West Bengal is set to begin four trial runs for cargo movement prior to an agreement to use the Chittagong and Mongla ports of Bangladesh, reported the Press Trust of India.

Kolkata port will conduct trials on routes that include Mongla to Tamabil, Tamabil to Chittagong, Chittagong to Sheola, and Mongla to Bibirbazar.