Visakhapatnam Port leads in cargo handling: Chairman

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port has handled 19 million tonnes of cargo till date and the port is maintaining its prime position among the major ports in the country, according to Mr K. Ratna Kishore, Port Chairman. However, he added, there is a shortfall of million tonnes of iron ore this year.

After unfurling the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day, Mr Ratna Kishore said the port had a challenging task ahead as it had to achieve the target of 61.6 million tonnes set by the Union Ministry of Shipping.

He exhorted the port employees to rise to the occasion and strive hard to achieve the goal. He attributed the shortfall of one million tones of iron ore, in comparison with the corresponding period last year, to the delay in finalisation of long-term contracts with Japan.

He said the port had shown improvement on all efficiency parameters during the past four-and-a-half months of the current financial year.

The output per berth improved by four per cent and pre-berthing detention was less than an hour on port account compared to three hours last year.

The average turnaround time had improved to 3.15 days compared to 3.77 days last year despite handling slow-moving cargoes and inclement weather, he explained.

Mr Ratna Kishore said the port had invited expression of interest for consultancy service for detailed engineering meant for upgradation of outer harbour so as to handling 2 lakh DWT vessels.

The study entrusted to IPA for installation of mechanised facilities at the general cargo berth for unloading coking coal was under finalisation and the road connectivity programme, taken up with the National Highway Authority of India, was nearing completion.

He said the port had formulated development projects at the cost of Rs 3,500 crore to enhance its handling capacity and face future challenges and competition.