Vizag General Cargo Berth Pvt. Ltd. (VGCB) , a 74:26 joint venture between Sterlite Industries (Vedanta) and Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt. Ltd., is set to become a premier coal handling terminal.
The berth was developed under BOT with an investment of Rs.680 crore and a capacity to handle 10.7 million tonnes.
By adding VGCB terminal , the Visakhapatnam Port further strengthens the cargo throughput. In the days to come, the port will be the hub for handling imported coal and shall be the gateway in the east coast corridor, says VGCB CEO D. K. Manral in a interview. Excerpts:
What is the extent of cargo being handled now from Visakhapatnam and what is the projected shortage of coal?
The port is now handling POL, iron ore, container, coal and the other cargo of around 58.5 million tonnes which is fifth in cargo throughput in major port category. India’s coal demand is 770 million tonnes for 2013-14 as against prospects of producing 606 million tonnes. The country has imported around 163 million tonnes last fiscal.
Top suppliers are Indonesia, Australia and South Africa. Coal India estimated that India’s coal shortage would hit 350 million tonnes in 2016-17.
How is the future with an increase in draft in the outer harbour?
The deep draft has enabled us to berth fully laden Cape size vessels.
The terminal is fully mechanised. We are unloading cargo using latest material handling equipment. It will give the port a technological edge that will translate into faster turnaround times and better handling of cargo and vessels.
What are the advantages of the facility and how much throughput it has handled so far?
With this, the port efficiency and productivity levels will help clients save on sea freight rates and earn dispatch money as well. VGCB has already received over 175 commercial vessels since the commissioning of the port and has crossed the five million tonne cargo mark till date.
