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The Visakhapatnam Port has added an extra three million tons of cargo in the first half of the current fiscal compared to last year. With the additional cargo the port has achieved 35 million tons of cargo to its register.
We are expecting to achieve the third place among all major ports by closing in the target of 70 million tons by the end of the current fiscal year, said VPT deputy chairman PL Haranadh.
In a press conference, Haranadh said we are confident that an additional 35 million tonnes would be handled in the next six months. VPT is completing 86 years of its existence on October 7. It has planned a series of activities to mark its foundation day
“This year, we are confident of getting the third place after Kandla and Paradip Ports in cargo handling. We have started innovative marketing techniques with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and the Railways for supply of coal by providing total logistics support to them.”
VPT has made an agreement with NMDC and efforts are on to strike a similar deal with NTPC. For Nepal traffic, VPT has also emerged as a preferred destination than Kolkata port. VPT surpassed Kolkata port in terms of efficiency, transparency and implementation of electronic cargo systems.
Simulation studies have been made as a pilot project to allow the entry of cape vessels into the inner harbour. The pilot project unit would show the path, distance, and depth to the pilot which would enable safer navigation. It would be a big game-changer for VPT. The system would be installed by October-end, Haranadh said.
VPT is hosting Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the biggest conclave of ports, in the city on November 7 and 8. All ports in India (both public and private) and those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand are expected to participate.
