VPT targets 80 million tonnes cargo handling in FY 2021-22

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) is targeting to handle 80 million tonnes of cargo in the 2021-22 fiscal. Despite Covid-19, VPT stood third among

Major Ports in India for the second consecutive year with 69.84 million tonnes. This is the second highest annual cargo throughput in the history of VPT.

Fighting against supply chain disruptions and economic downturn due to the pandemic, VPT stood just short of last year’s performance of 72.72 million tonnes.

The VPT’s decline in cargo handling is only 4% whereas the decline recorded in other major ports is about 7%.

A major decline in cargo was imports of coking coal (27% decline) and steam coal (45%) but it was offset by an increase in iron ore and pellets handling (31%) and other cargo (22%).

VPT Chairman K Rama Mohana Rao said there was an increase in exports of iron ore and finished steel to China and an increase in iron pellets movement to Gujarat. “We improved the average wait time of a ship to 1.15 hours as against 1.22 hours. A total of 2,040 ships were handled this fiscal as against 2,099 in 2019-20,” he said.

The port has recorded an operating surplus of Rs 698 crore. “Installation of electronic route relay interlocking system to do away with manual intervention in railway signalling operation would be completed. Extension of existing container terminal with an additional capacity to handle 5.4 lakh TEU would be completed by the end of December this year,” Rama Mohana Rao said.

The chairman also pointed out that ambient air quality levels are under control. “The port alone is not causing pollution in the city. Even during the lockdown, VPT handled cargo and there was no pollution. Pollution levels dropped during the lockdown as all industries were shut at that time.

I request the public to be aware that the port is not causing pollution in the city,” he said.

Source: Times Of India