The Kakinada deep water port, being operated by the Kakinada Seaports Private Limited, has made a small beginning in handling container cargo from last year and the cargo is gradually picking up, according to M Muralidhar, Director.

He said the port created the facilities for handling container cargo and began operations in a small way. “We are mostly exporting rice, sugar and some other cargoes from here in containers. There is considerable potential and in future we expect to handle seafood and other cargoes originating from Bhimavaram and other places. The logistics cost will be reduced substantially for the seafood exporters,” he said.

However, till now, the feeder services from here were unscheduled and “from October 29, the Maersk Line is going to operate a regular monthly feeder service from here to Colombo. Another liner is also evincing interest.”

He said the Kakinada deep water port handled almost 15 million tonnes of cargo last year (2015-16) and till now 7-8 million tonnes of cargo this year. “There is a slight dip during the current financial year due to the economic conditions, but we hope that things will improve and are making efforts to touch last year’s level,” he added.

He said there would be constant upgrading of facilities at the deep water port, once the economic activity picks up in the region, especially in the Kakinada special economic zone.

comment COMMENT NOW