The Krishnapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh hopes to end the financial year handling nearly 60 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, which will be nearly 33 per cent more than the previous year’s 45 MT.

According to the port’s CEO and Director, Anil Yendluri, for the first six months of the current financial year, the facility, which competes with Chennai, Kamarajar and Katuppalli ports in Tamil Nadu, for cargo saw a 25 per cent increase in traffic over the same period last year.

There was growth across all major cargoes, including coal, edible oil and containers, he told newspersons.

Yendluri said that the port has chalked out expansion plans for the next 18 months that include construction of a liquid cargo terminal at nearly ₹500 crore, and three more berths for general cargo and containers.

“The port could be the preferred gateway for liquid cargo. The dedicated berth with no draft restriction will be able to handle Panamax-size vessels. Out of the total 6,800 acres of port area, 873 acres has been earmarked for liquid business. However, additional land will be allotted for liquid storage based on the demand,” he said.

The port has planned two dedicated rail sidings for liquid cargo, in addition to the 16 existing full length rail sidings.

The port is also exploring business opportunities with the ports in Bangladesh, which Yendluri said could be a major destination for maritime trade, considering the high economic growth happening in that country.

Bangladesh trade uses Colombo as a major transshipment port, he said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW