Exim News Service reported that labeled as a mega port project of South Asia, Krishnapatnam Port in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh has already handled over 8 million tonne of cargo since its inauguration on July 17th 2008.
The 8 month old private port, in its first phase of completion has a length of 1,100 meters and a 16 meter deep daughter berth. It aims to handle 100 million tonne of cargo by 2013-14. Strategically located 70 nautical miles north of Chennai Port on the East Coast, the project was awarded to the CVR Group by the state government under BOST system for 50 years. It is now being operated under Krishnapatnam Port Co Limited.
Top officials of KPCL said that the Port had already registered its efficiency by handling Panamax vessels with ease. Krishnapatnam Port is a customer centric port with most cost effective and competitive rates. Officials stressed that the facility would be one of best not only in India, but in the entire Asia.
As per report, the authorities aim to make it the numero uno in the country on all parameters of operations providing state of the art mechanization and best available service to customers.
Officials said that currently, every berth had a harbor mobile crane with a capacity of 140 tonne, with a vast back up area for cargo storage. The Port already handles iron ore, coal, gypsum, granite, FRM, urea, raw sugar, etc. The Bellary based iron ore cargo contributes most of the cargo, but the Port is eyeing other types of cargo of the hinterland.
For future growth, it aims at meeting the ever-growing import needs of power plants. The Bellary based iron ore cargo is now being shared by Chennai, Ennore, New Mangalore and Krishnapatnam Ports. Krishnapatnam will be very close to Bellary mines once the new rail project linking the port directly with the main line of Mumbai-Renigunta route is commissioned. Already, the Port has rail connectivity with the Howrah-Chennai main line, and broad gauge connectivity to the National Highways.
The report added that KPCL is keen to start container operations by July 2009, when the present berth length of 1,100 meters would be extended by another 600 meters. The officials underscored that at present number 6,5,4,3 berths were functioning and number 2 and 1, which were an extended arm would be completed in the coming months.
The new berths will be dedicated to containerized and general cargoes. However, container handling would be shifted to the new venue with all facilities near the southern breakwater in two years under a master plan for expansion. The master plan includes 42 berths of around 12 kilometer and wharf length with 20 meter draught to handle larger vessels. The plan includes a mega container terminal, liquid cargo handling berths, expansion of dedicated mechanized coal cargo berths and larger open and closed warehouses.
Officials further added that when fully operational, Krishnapatnam Port would be the largest fully automated port in the whole of South Asia.
(Sourced from Exim News Service)
