Vizag port surpasses cargo handling target

Visakhapatnam, April 2 The Visakhapatnam port has surpassed the cargo target of 64.24 million tonnes (mt) set by the Union Shipping Ministry.

According to a press release issued by the port authorities here on Wednesday, the port handled 64.60 mt during 2007-08 against the target of 64.24 mt.

The Kandla port handled 64.89 mt.

During 2006-07, says the release, the port handled 56.39 mt, “thus achieving the highest incremental traffic of 8.21 mt in the history of the port.” During 2007-08, Vizag handled 18.36 mt of iron ore, 3.99 mt of fertilisers and raw materials, 19.80 mt of POL, 7.46 mt of coking coal, 2.90 mt of thermal coal, 1.13 mt of container cargo and other cargo of 10.96 mt.

With the Gangavaram port getting ready for operation later this year, the main port faces stiff competition and it is estimated that initially the new port may take away 8-10 mt of cargo.

Source: Business Line