The Hindu Business Line : Vizag poised for record cargo handling

VISAKHAPATNAM port, which has been grabbing the number one spot consecutively for the past three years, is poised not only to retain the distinction, but also to set a national record in cargo handling, hitherto held by the Kandla port, this fiscal.

Officials are expressing confidence that by the end of the month and the financial year, the port would be able to break the record held by Kandla port for the highest throughput in a financial year by an Indian port. Kandla achieved the distinction in 1999-2000 by handling 46.30 million tonnes. Till date, according to officials in the traffic department, the port handled 45.50 mt of cargo, 14 lakh more than the figure last year.

Iron ore, the main cargo, registered a quantum jump. Last year, 10 mt of ore was handled, and till now the port handled 12 mt. The port officials are confident that the Kandla record could be overtaken and the projected figure is well above 47 mt for the current year.

The ore handling complex loaded the highest quantity of 1,48,000 tonnes of ore into a single ship, m.v. Japan Platanas, this week on Tuesday to Wednesday, surpassing its own previous record of 1,40,924 tonnes.

Container cargo dips: There is, however, one area of concern. Container cargo from Visakhapatnam is not increasing, even after setting up an exclusive terminal for the purpose. In fact, there has been a dip in the container cargo. The container terminal only handled 2,38,000 tonnes till the end of February during the fiscal as against 2,73,000 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.

The target fixed was 6,78,000 tonnes and even half of that is not likely to be achieved by the end of the month and the financial year.