Morbi ceramic units join hands for LNG terminal

Tile manufacturers in Morbi, India's largest ceramics cluster, have come together to ensure they receive a continuous supply of cheap natural gas. A consortium formed by tile makers has chalked out plans to build a floating storage and regassification unit (FSRU), with a provision for a coastal LNG terminal at Jodia near Navlakhi Port, some 45km from Morbi. The proposed terminal will have a capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and could be scaled up to 5 MMTPA. The project is likely cost Rs 3,000 crore, said a source privy to the development. Oresa Energy Private Limited, an entity backed by the consortium of some ceramic tile makers, has already submitted an expression of interest (EoI) to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) for the project. The state maritime authority had invited bid proposals for the LNG project and Oresa Energy is the only company to have shown interest in the project, said a GMB official.