With a target to achieve 85 million tonnes capacity by 2015 by undertaking mechanisation, Visakhapatnam Port is cruising ahead to become the most preferred port of South Asia.
Taking advantage of its strategic location and huge hinterland, investment to the tune of Rs.13,000 crore is being made for extension of container terminal by J. M. Baxi Group and modernisation of ore handling complex by Essar Ports, deepening of channels and berths and installation of state-of-the-art handling facilities and other logistics. “Not only increasing volumes, we are also making serious efforts to handle 90 per cent of our cargo in a mechanised environment within a year so as to put pollution at bare minimum,” Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman M. T. Krishna Babu told The Hindu .
Inner harbour dredging, which hit a roadblock due to variety of reasons, is being speeded up. Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) had already dug up 10 per cent of one million cubic metres. DCI is likely to complete the job in two months. Dharti Dredging, which has been given contract for rock dredging, is expected to complete 100 metres of channel width by October-end.
Mr. Krishna Babu said Adani Vizag Coal Terminal, part of Adani Group, could handle Panamax vessels due to increase in draught from November.
Mechanised coal handling facility has been developed by the group with an investment of Rs.400 crore.
He said other berths in the inner harbour were not in a position to handle Panamax vessels without lightening as they lacked required foundation.
Vizag Sea Ports Ltd., which developed EQ 8 and 9 under BOT about 14 years ago, can handle Panamax with some modification.
Mr. Krishna Babu said WQ 7 and 8, which were under construction, would have 16 metre draught. He said they had engaged Indian Port Association to conduct a study to modernise EQ 2 to 5 berths. Draught of WQ 1 to 3 berths is being increased from 11 metres to 12 metres.
