Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 ePaper |
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Logistics
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Shipping States - Andhra Pradesh Vizag port retains top position in cargo handling Our Bureau
Maintains lead The port handled 56.3 million tonnes of cargo against a target of 61 mt. The port's capacity would rise to 100 mt by 2012 and the cargo might go up to 85 mt.
THE VISAKHAPATNAM Port Trust Chairman, Mr K. Ratna Kishore, addressing a media conference on Monday. - K.R. Deepak
Visakhapatnam April 2 Visakhapatnam has managed to retain its position as the prime port in the country for 2006-07 by handling 56.3 million tonnes of cargo against a target of 61 mt set by the Union Ministry of Shipping. During the previous year (2005-06), the port handled 55.8 mt. At a press meet here on Monday, Mr K. Ratna Kishore, Chairman, said the port could emerge the premier port in the country for the seventh time in succession in spite of the substantial reduction in iron ore exports (more than two mt) during the year. "However, due to the marked increase in the export of iron ore pellets, that loss could be made up to an extent and the port could export 14.7 mt of ore and pellets put together during the year against 15.9 mt during 2005-06," he said. Mr Kishore said that during the current year (2007-08), the port would aim at touching, or even crossing, the 60-mt mark. However, the Ministry had not yet set the target, he added. He said there was a substantial hike in import of fertilisers during the year (26.18 lakh tonnes) against 22.95 mt during 2005-06. POL (petroleum and related products) accounted for 18.1 mt against 16.9 mt. The container cargo handled was 7.99 lakh tonnes against 6.30 lakh tonnes. Mr Kishore said the port's capacity would rise to 100 mt by 2012 and the cargo might go up to 85 mt. "In fact, it is a conservative estimate. At the rate the economy is growing, and in view of the hinterland the port has, it can be achieved," he said.
Gangavaram competition
He said he foresaw no real threat to the port even after the completion of the Gangavaram port in the vicinity. "Competition is always welcome. It all depends on which port gives the best service and at what rate. The user will always choose the less expensive port," he said. He said the port had started handling panamax vessels from February, as the channel to the inner harbour had been deepened and the berths in the harbour had been strengthened. Further, he said, there was a proposal to strengthen, expand and deepen the iron ore berth for handling 2,00,000 DWT vessels with 18.1 meters draft and to replace the existing ship loader, stacker and bucker wheel reclaimer. "The project is estimated to cost Rs 185 crore and the Japan Bank for International Co-operation has agreed to lend Rs 154 crore, and it was cleared by the Union Government on March 30," he said. He said there were proposals to construct two more berths, WQ 6 for multi cargoes and EQ 10 for liquid cargo, in the inner harbour on BOT basis. "Recently, we also signed an agreement with Utkal Alumina International Ltd for allotment of land to sett up storage and handling facilities for export/import of alumina and caustic soda for 30 years," he said. He said the Visakhapatnam port was spending Rs 10.70 crore on various development activities in the city. Of which, Rs 6 crore was being spent on beach nourishment.
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