The Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has retained its second position among major ports during 2011-12, again by handling 67.41 million tonnes of cargo.

For the past few years, the port has been occupying the second slot, with Kandla in the first. Last year (2010-11), the port handled 68.04 mt.

During the year, the port handled 16.07 mt of iron ore, and the exports amounted to 26.6 mt, the imports 36.4 mt and the transhipment cargo 4.4 mt.

The Visakhapatnam port is facing stiff competition from Gangavaram, a private port in the vicinity, and to an extent, the cargo handling during the year was also affected due to many ongoing projects in the port, such as mechanisation of the general cargo berth in the outer harbour and the many works in the inner harbour on different berths.

Going by the present trend, unless VPT officials expedite the mechanisation of general cargo berth (GCB), Chennai may also overtake Visakhapatnam. Kandla is gaining ground due to commissioning of several refineries in Gujarat and the transport of crude by very large crude carriers. It is investing Rs 1,200 crore on capacity augmentation.

Ongoing works

The Visakhapatnam Port Trust has also taken up an ambitious project to mechanise and modernise the port with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, with many works being executed in the private-public partnership mode. The port will have the capacity to handle 110 mt by 2014-15 after the completion of the works. During the Twelfth Plan, the port is estimated to invest Rs 8,231 crore with private participation amounting to 55 per cent. Several works are underway for deepening of channels, construction of new berths, mechanised handling for coal, iron ore and other cargoes and improvement in logistics.

vzchs@thehindu.co.in

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