Vizag port handles 69 million tonnes cargo

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port handled 69.03 tonnes of cargo during the last financial year as against 69.84 million tonnes during the corresponding period of previous year. This was one per cent less due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said Visakhapatnam Port Authority chairman K. Rama Mohan Rao.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the chairman said Vizag port ranked fourth among the major ports after Paradeep, Kandla and JNPT and second in east coast in terms of volume of cargo handled. This was despite stiff competition from the private port next door which handled around 40 million tonnes.

He said the port handled 70.05 lakh tonnes of steam coal, 38 per cent more than the previous financial year. Thermal coal was 25.9 lakh tonnes, 100 per cent more than the last year and 85.83 lakh containers five per cent more than the previous year.

There was a decline in handling of crude oil which was 142.49 lakh tonnes, 11 per cent less than the previous year, iron ore and pellets 145.59 lakh tonnes, 23 per cent less than the previous year and coking coal was 44.28 lakh tonnes, 18 per cent less than the last financial year.

“We hope to reach 71 million tonnes during the current financial year. We have tied up with Anrak which would import bauxite from South Africa and crude import that would increase after HPCL completes its expansion,’’ the chairman said.

He said the port invested Rs 3,769 crore on expansion projects, most of which have been completed. Among them the fishing harbour is being upgraded as a world class facility with an investment of Rs 150 crore.