The Visakhapatnam port has resumed normal cargo-handling operations and is taking steps now to restore some of the damaged installations, according to port chairman M.T Krishna Babu.

He said here on Thursday that the port had incurred loss of Rs 232 crore due to cyclone Hudhud, as the offshore tanker terminal was badly damaged and to some extent the south breakwater as well. "The damage to the conveyor belt in the iron ore handling complex is minimal and the OHC is functioning now normally," he said.

He said the port was importing crude both at the offshore terminal and the single point mooring (SPM). "Fortunately, the SPM has been spared by the cyclone and we are now in a position to import the crude required for the HPCL Visakha refinery at the SPM. But we have to get the offshore tanker terminal repaired for the long run and a team of experts from Afcon company will be at the port shortly for the purpose," he said and added that he could not specify how long it would require for the repairs.

He said the crest of the south breakwater was also damaged but there was no immediate impact on the operations of the port because of it. It would also have to be repaired. He said there was no insurance for any of the port structures. He said the warehouses were also damaged and repairs would have to be carried out.

Krishna Babu said there was, however, no damage to the ongoing projects in the port worth more than Rs 3,000 crore. "The civil works have been completed for many of the projects and there may only be some delay and there is no lasting damage," he added.

He said the container terminal was also functioning normally in the port.

>sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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