The Visakhapatnam port has handled a little over 58 million tonnes of cargo during 2013-14, and the port may probably end up in the fourth or fifth slot in the all-India rankings, according to sources.
The Visakhapatnam port, which used to be the number one for a number of years in the first decade of the century, has suffered loss of cargo during the past few years due to several reasons. Stiff competition from the neighbouring ports, the many ongoing projects in the port in recent years affecting cargo-handling and the fall in iron ore exports are some of the main reasons for slump in the fortunes of the port.
However, according to port deputy chairman G.V.L Satya Kumar, better times are ahead of the port. "Some of the major projects, such as the modernisation and upgrading of the general cargo berth in the outer harbour, have been completed during the year. For the first time in its history, the port handled a cape size vessel in the outer harbour recently. There will be a marked improvement during the current financial year (2014-15)," he said.
There was also some diversion of transhipment cargo to Paradip during 2013-14, besides the stiff competition posed by Gangavaram port closer home. The Visakhapatnam port has taken up two major projects - the extension of the exiting container terminal and the modernisation and upgrading of the iron ore handling complex. The first project, estimated to cost over Rs 600 crore, has been awarded to the Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd and the second, estimated to cost Rs 800-850 crore, to Essar Ports. The work on these two projects is expected to begin during the current fiscal.