Vizag Port achieves 80-MT target ahead of schedule

There is a synergy and dynamism in the EXIM trade. We in VPA compliment the same and strive to achieve the best. Our main aim is to transform the port into a sustainable port with several green initiatives to prevent pollution and play a key role in the development of the city by taking up CSR projects - M Angamuthu VPA Chairman

Visakhapatnam: Continuing its winning streak after launching an exercise to improve techno-economic parameters, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has achieved the target of 80 million tonnes (MT) set for 2023-24, ahead of schedule.

The port is expected to finish third among major ports after Deen Dayal (Kandla) and Paradeep ports by March 31. With the adoption of Amrit Kaal Vision-2047, VPA, one of the premier ports set up way back in 1933, is planning to handle 90 MT during 2024-25 and join the 100 MT plus club by 2027. As per Maritime India initiative launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, it is implementing a series of measures to become a landlord port by 2030 by handling cargo under a complete mechanised environment.

Giving credit to team spirit exhibited by the workforce and wholehearted support from the authorities concerned and the stakeholders, VPA Chairman M Angamuthu told Bizz Buzz on Thursday that “there is a synergy and dynamism in the EXIM trade. We in VPA compliment the same and strive to achieve the best. Our main aim is to transform the port into a sustainable port with several green initiatives to prevent pollution and play a key role in the development of the city by taking up CSR projects.”

Asked to comment on the reasons for the improvement in volumes of traffic despite competition posed by the neighbourhood, he said on the whole, there is a growth in all types of cargo. “We are targeting agriculture, marine, aqua and some special cargoes. Our container cargo growth, coastal movements increased and special emphasis on new and better cargoes also being targeted,” Dr Angamuthu stated.

The port achieved an all-time high throughput of 73.73 MT during 2022-23. The port is on a cusp of glory with its resolve to take up various projects under Sagarmala and Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti programme. The port signed several MoU at the Global Maritime India Summit in Mumbai last year for improving connectivity and incorporating world-class facilities. Now efforts are on to introduce cruise tourism from the newly inaugurated International Maritime Cruise Tourism.

As part of green initiatives, additional sewage treatment plants, expansion of solar power generation, operating buses with CNG, deployment of continuous sweeping machines, covered stacking, transportation of all sorts of cargoes including coal and iron ore, and sprinkling to put spread of dust particles at bare minimum alongside annual beach nourishment are being undertaken.

VPA is engaging experts from IITs to improve adoption of key performance indicators (KPI) through short and long-term plans with a provision for mid-course correction.VPA also has plans to develop mangroves from Bheemili to the port area to arrest coastal erosion, which of late has led to reduction in beachfront area in the city. The factors which contributed to record volumes include increase in POL and crude by 27 per cent, iron ore by 12 per cent and fertilizer volume by six per cent; Handling more number of baby cape vessels upto 43 mts beam has led to more than 35 per cent growth in number of vessels handled.

The Visakha Container Terminal (VCT) has reported a 28 per cent increase in box volumes to reach 6.65 lakh TEUs (twenty feet equivalent units). Among KPIs, there was 68 per cent improvement in pre-berthing detention, 10 per cent improvement in turnaround time and eight per cent improvement in idle-time at berth. VPA registered month-wise highest tonnage in the months of May, June, October 2023 and January-2024. The port recorded the highest day cargo volume of 4.03 MT in 24 hours on January 19-2024 duly surpassing the previous highest day handling of 4.01 MT achieved on June 17, 2023.