Infrastructure | 20 June 2012
Two mega projects ready for take-off
JNPT CT-4 & DFCC Western Corridor: expect
project awards of USD5b-7b in FY13/14
INFRASTRUCTURE: Multiplier Effect
JNPT's CT-4 and DFCC Western
JNPT has selected the Port Authority of Singapore to
construct and operate its fourth container terminal (CT-
4), which will nearly double existing capacity.
JNPT's CT-4 expansion is contingent on DFCC for evacuation
and the viability of DFCC's Western Corridor is contingent
on JNPT expansion, as containers will account for 75-80%
of traffic.
We expect project awards of USD5b-7b in FY13/14 and
prefer L&T to play the theme.
corridor are high "multiplier effect"
projects, with interlinked viability
Both projects targeted to be
commissioned by FY16/17
Expect USD5-7b worth of
project awards in FY13/14
Successful implementation to lead
to a chain of benefits across sectors,
boosting the investment cycle
Ray of Hope
will highlight the bright spots in an otherwise
bleak scenario in the economy or any sector or company.
JNPT's expansion plans to nearly double capacity:
The
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has selected (in
September 2011) the consortium led by Port Authority
of Singapore to construct and operate its fourth
container terminal (CT-4). JNPT currently has a capacity
of 4.1m TEUs and CT-4 will add a further 4.8m TEUs. The
concession agreement is expected to be signed shortly.
Phase-1 of CT-4 (2.4m TEUs) is likely to be completed by
2015/16 at an estimated cost of ~INR38b.
CT-4 / Western Corridor project viability interlinked:
JNPT's CT-4 operations are strongly interlinked with
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation's (DFCC)
Western Corridor project, given the constraints in terms
of railway capacity. The Railways account for ~27% of
the hinterland transport for JNPT and the existing
network is congested, with limited room for expansion.
Hence, the near doubling of container capacity post
commissioning of CT-4 is largely dependent on DFCC
for evacuation. The economic viability of DFCC's
Western Corridor project is also linked to JNPT
expansion, as containers will account for 75-80% of
traffic. Land acquisition in the JNPT-Vadodara section
has been significantly behind schedule (near nil land
acquired around Mumbai, Surat), while the Vadodara-
Rewari section has witnessed 83% land acquisition.
Expect project awards of USD5b-7b in FY13/14:
We
expect substantial parts of the project awards for both
CT-4 (INR38b, phase-1) and DFCC Western Corridor
(~USD8b) to be completed in FY13/14. This will entail
interesting opportunities for construction players. Both
the projects are expected to be commissioned by FY16/
17. We believe that DFCC could provide a 'multiplier
effect' for India in many ways, and successful
implementation will lead to several benefits.
How to play the theme - L&T is the best bet:
We believe
L&T (Buy) will be a clear beneficiary of the project
awards of USD5b-7b expected in FY13/14 for CT-4 and
the Western Corridor. L&T is also one of the two
consortiums pre-qualified to submit price bids in two
packages of the Western Corridor (size ~USD1b). Adani
Port (Not Rated) will also be a beneficiary of the shift
in the northern hinterland container cargo from
Maharashtra to Gujarat - JNPT's capacity is largely
saturated till CT-4 / western DFCC becomes operational
and the recent TAMP (Tariff Authority on Major Ports)
tariff reduction for private operators at JNPT will lead
them to lower volumes, as efficiency gets punished.
Adani Port already accounts for ~25% of the western
region container traffic and the transition is expected
to be rather quick over the next 3-4 years.
Satyam Agarwal
(AgarwalS@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 39820 5410
Nalin Bhatt
(NalinBhatt@MotilalOswal.com) /
Pooja Kachhawa
(Pooja.Kachhawa@MotilalOswal.com)
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