September 07, 2008

Vizag port handles 51.7 million tonnes cargo in 9 months

BL reported that Visakhapatnam port has handled 51.7 million tonnes of cargo in April to December 2007 period up by 15% YoY and retained the number 1 slot again for the 8 time in succession although Kandla is very close on its heels.

Mr K Ratna Kishore chairman of Visakhapatnam port said that during April to December 2007 period, the major ports in India had posted 13% growth and by the end of the financial year the total cargo in all the ports may touch 520 million tonnes.

He said that Vizag port had set a national record by handling 5.83 million tonnes in October 2007, surpassing the previous best of 5.69 million tonnes set by Kandla port in May 2007.

Mr Kishore said that Vizag port has registered growth in all cargoes like iron ore, thermal coal, coking coal, fertilisers and containers. He added that “We are handling Panamax vessels with 10.7 metres. From March 2008, the inner harbour can cater to 11 metre draft vessels. We have plans to deepen the harbour further to handle 12.5 metre draft vessels.”

Meanwhile, Vishakhapatnam port had received approval from the union ministry of shipping to upgrade the outer harbour so that it would be able to handle 200,000 DWT vessels at a cost of INR 185 crore. Apart from that, a project was under way at the general cargo berth in the outer harbour to set up integrated mechanised unloading and stacking facilities at a cost of INR 292 crore on build own and transfer basis. The construction of 2 more berths in the inner harbour would also be taken up in the inner harbour.