The Hindu Business Line : Kakinada old port may handle more

For the first time in its history, the anchorage (old) port at Kakinada may touch, or even exceed, the three-million-tonne mark this year, thanks to booming rice exports.

According to the Gole committee report, that is the maximum handling capacity of the anchorage port at Kakinada.

In 2005-06 the port handled 2.5 million tones, rice exports accounting for the bulk of the cargo.

"It is certainly a landmark year for the anchorage port. Rice exports have made it possible and the three-million-tonne target seems achievable now. Already, the port has handled 2.3 million tonnes or so this year, with rice exports accounting for 14-15 lakh tonnes," said Mr. D. Surya Rao, President of the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce.

He also said that the old port was having a good run for the past few years, due to rice exports.

"This port has always been known for agri exports such as rice bran, soya extractions and de-oiled cake, but during the past decade or so those cargo have dwindled and the port went through a lean patch. But rice exports have again revived its fortunes."

About efforts to augment the handling capacity of the port by inducting more steel barges, he said that there was opposition from the existing barge owners to the move made by the port authorities to invite outsiders to construct steel barges.

"The issue has gone to court and therefore, I do not want to comment on it. But there is certainly a need for more barges. On behalf of the trade, the Cocanada Chamber itself has applied to the authorities for permission to construct 20 barges."

Mr Rao said that rice exports would further gain momentum after the arrival of the second crop. He is confident that the same momentum would be maintained to touch the three-million-tonne mark.

More Stories on : Shipping | Rice | Andhra Pradesh

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