Cargo handling up 8.8% April-Dec 2023
Major port Visakhapatnam port authority has registered an overall growth of 8.88% in its cargo handling for period April to December 2023.
The major port handled 60MTPA of overall cargo compared to 55MTPA handled in April to December 2022. If this growth continues the port might well cross its previous best ever figures of 73.75 MTPA registered last fiscal FY23.
Addressing a recent press conference in the city, VPA’s chairman, Dr M Angamuthu, IAS stated that the port is well positioned to cross its previous best and might well end up handling 80 MTPA by the end of this current fiscal which shall be the highest since inception.
In terms of rank (overall cargo handled) VPA stands 4th among the major ports in the country with Paradip port being no 1 at 105.5 MTPA followed by Deendayal Port at 98.66 MTPA and JNPA at 63.91 MTPA.
Some of the major cargoes that witnessed growth at VPA included Petroleum and other liquids (POL) at 13.7MTPA, iron ore pellets at 11.13 MTPA, fertilizers (finished) at 1.3MTPA, fertilizers (raw) at 1.22MTPA and coking coal at 5.3MTPA.
Cargoes that declined included other liquids at 1.3MTPA, thermal and steam coal at 7.84 MTPA.
The port has shown significant improvement in KPI under leadership of its current chairperson Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS. In the press conference VPA chairperson stated that pre-berthing detention reduced by 68%, Turnaround time reduced by 11%, Output per ship berth day improved by 11% and reduction of idle time at berth by 12%.
Cruise Terminal
Speaking on the much hyped cruise terminal the chairman informed that the port has also been making rapid strides in putting Visakhapatnam on global stage by developing State of the Art Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT).
Littoral Cruises Limited is said to have signed the MoU for the Chennai to Singapore via Visakhapatnam cruise in the presence of the Union Minister for Shipping, Waterways and Ports, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal.
Further, Littoral has plans to run a cruise service connecting India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives with Rs. 1,200 crore investment.
