Andhra Pradesh

‘Krishnapatnam will be a hub port’

KRISHNAPATNAM: Krishnapatnam Port will soon be developed as a hub port for all types of cargo, according to Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) M. K. Padia.

“The port, which will soon become the biggest one in the country, is being developed as one of the largest deep draft state-of-the-art mechanised port in the country.

And it is poised to be an important gateway to Asia Pacific and far Eastern Asian countries and will also serve as a major developmental hub of the region.”

The CEO said the KPCL had already commissioned berth operation at Krishnapatnam Port. “It received its first vessel of 160-metre-long M. V. Frauke on its maiden voyage carrying two Gottwald-make ultra high tech mobile harbour cranes on its berth on Friday morning.”

Besides, the port with current cargo capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum will see the completion of the first phase by June 2008. So is the case with connectivity as both four-lane road connecting National Highway (NH-5) and dedicated railway line connecting Krishnapatnam port to Venkatachalam station will be completed.

“Four berths will be ready by June and on completion of other phases, the port will have 12 km of quay length equipped with 19 metre draught to handle up to capsize vessel.” With backup area of 6,000 acres, the port will have hitech mechanised cargo handling system including ship loaders and unloaders backed by stackers, reclaimers, wagon loaders, tippers connected to the conveyor system with a view to ensuring fastest turn around time of the vessels in the country. Apart from anchorage and port operations, the port will offer along the side berth operation to load bulk, break bulk and container cargo.

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