The Hindu Business Line : Gangavaram port’s cargo handling may cross 15 mt by year-end

The Visakhapatnam main port has so far handled 38.9 million tonnes of cargo during the current financial year, whereas the new port of Gangavaram in the private sector crossed the 10-million-tonne (mt) mark recently.

The new port is expected to cross the 15-mt mark by the end of the financial year and the Vizag port authorities are confident of achieving the target of 64 mt set by the Shipping Ministry. There is healthy competition between the two ports.

The new port has snatched the bulk of the cargo related to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant from the established port, as it is ideally located in the backyard of the plant. Limestone and coking coal are being imported through Gangavaram.

The steel plant authorities find it more convenient and cost-effective to use Gangavaram port than the main port.

The Visakhapatnam port has also suffered the loss of transhipment cargo to Paradip port, as a single buoy mooring has been set up at the port. Only when there is congestion at Paradip or some other problem, Vizag main port gets such cargo.

Performance steady

In spite of the setbacks, the performance of Visakhapatnam port has been steady so far and as on date the port has handled a little more than last year.

During the corresponding period in the last financial year, the port handled 38.67 mt. The port has also taken up a number of projects to face up to the competition from Gangavaram and other ports.

The ore handling complex (OHC) is being improved. The coal berth is being modernised and dredging work in the inner harbour and turning circle will begin during the year. Railway siding improvements and other infrastructure improvements are also being undertaken.

The general cargo berth is also being upgraded to accommodate 2 lakh DWT (deadweight tonne) vessels. All these projects, estimated to cost more than Rs 3,000 crore, will enable the public sector port to face the competition from private ports.

Last financial year, the Vizag port missed the premier port status in the country to Kandla by a whisker. It remains to be seen whether the port will regain the status this year.

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