A high-level delegation from Antwerp Port Authority has expressed satisfaction over facilities available at Visakhapatnam Port and suggested exploring introduction of container service between Visakhapatnam and Antwerp Port.
After visiting Visakhapatnam Port and Visakhapatnam Container Terminal Private Ltd, developed by VCTPL, a joint venture of J.M. Baxi and Group and DP World under BOT basis, the team said there was huge scope to explore container business between Visakhapatnam and Europe as the ports in East Coast have so far been focusing in cargo traffic to the Asian countries.
The team consisted of Ambassador of Belgium in India Jan Luykx, Consul General in Chennai Bart De Groof, Antwerp Port Authority Chief Commercial Officer Luc Arnouts, Port of Antwerp International Director Marc Paelinck and India Representative Raj Khalid.
They held discussions with VPT Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu, Deputy Chairman P.L. Haranadh, Visakha Container Terminal Managing Director Vir Krishna Kotak and COO Sushil Mulchandani. Mr. Krishna Babu explained to them that the port, which is on modernisation mode, was now having a capacity of 93 million tonne. It would increase the capacity to 125 million tonne in next two-and-a-half years.
Asked to comment on their feedback during the visit, the Ambassador said they see a big opportunity for increasing trade ties with Visakhapatnam and Antwerp as they had emerged as gateway to Europe due to their strategic location.
During a media interaction, Mr. Luykx said they were also willing offer their expertise in water treatment, renewable energy and solid waste management.
