Pradhan fights Gadkari over Mumbai Port FSRU
If you didn't know before, you do now: a plan by the Mumbai Port Trust to set up a 5m t/y LNG FSRU is hostage to an imminent showdown between shipping minister Nitin Gadkari and oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
This report learns cabinet clearance is pending only because of vocal opposition by Pradhan. It's believed the oil minister wrote to the PMO in September arguing that the proposed Mumbai FSRU makes no commercial sense with the Dabhol LNG terminal so close.
Pradhan adds Dabhol is well positioned to supply any local gas demand. But his complaints have upset heavyweight BJP leader and shipping minister Gadkari.
"We don't understand why the oil ministry is opposing the project," asserts a shipping ministry source. "No government investment is needed.
Private investors are willing to put in their money. They're all aware of Dabhol's existence and the commercial risks it poses to any new LNG project." Shipping secretary Rajive Kumar wrote to the PMO two weeks ago supporting the FSRU project as a means for the Mumbai Port Trust to harvest revenue without investing any money.
"We expect results soon," he adds. "Gadkari is pushing this project (with the PMO)." In an apparent show of support, bidders Shapoorji Pallonji and a consortium of IMC Infrastructure with Norway's Hoegh LNG have agreed to extend till January 2 the validity of bids and bank guarantees submitted on May 5.
