With the help of private investors, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) will enhance its cargo handling capacity from 62 million tonnes to 125 million tonnes by 2012. The capacity increase through modernisation of existing facilities and creation of new berths would be done with a total investment of Rs. 2,600 crore, Port Chairman Ajeya Kallam told reporters here on Saturday.
Of the Rs. 2,600 crore, the port would invest Rs. 1,200 crore from internal accruals. To a question, he ruled out the possibility of raising a part of the investment from the market.
The port, which is hit along with other major ports due to global meltdown and the challenge posed by the launch of operations in its neighbourhood by Gangavaram Port, is in the process of developing two berths on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis, mechanisation of coal handling at general cargo berth and mechanised fertilizer handling at EQ-7 berth, upgrading outer harbour to handle two lakh dwt ships and Phase-II deepening of inner harbour entrance channel to cater to 12.5 metre draft vessels.
Tenders are now under evaluation for strengthening five berths in the inner harbour.
Techno-economic study for developing the east docks is being entrusted to Indian Ports Association. Proposal for development of WQ-7 and 8 berths, including mechanisation, is under process.
Mr. Kallam said the port was taking up eight projects under public-private parnership (PPP) mode and expressed the hope that it could handle a throughput of at least 85 million tonnes by 2012 by creating world-class facilities.
Performance
On its performance during the just concluded financial year, he said it could finish second after Kandla Port by handling 63.90 million tonnes as against 64.59 million tonnes in the previous year.
The stagnation in growth is attributed to recession, shift in part of trans-shipment cargo to Paradip following commissioning of pipeline up to Haldia, fall in iron ore traffic to China and diversion of coking coal and other bulk traffic to Gangavaram Port on ‘economic considerations.’
To a question, he said the port was commissioning a study by the Kolkata-based institute on finances involved in the shifting of fishing harbour to another area and make use of the vacated space for creating additional facilities for the port. “Even if found viable, its implementation will take a long time due to the requirement of about Rs. 600-800 crore,” he said.
Of the Rs. 2,600 crore, the port would invest Rs. 1,200 crore from internal accruals. To a question, he ruled out the possibility of raising a part of the investment from the market.
The port, which is hit along with other major ports due to global meltdown and the challenge posed by the launch of operations in its neighbourhood by Gangavaram Port, is in the process of developing two berths on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis, mechanisation of coal handling at general cargo berth and mechanised fertilizer handling at EQ-7 berth, upgrading outer harbour to handle two lakh dwt ships and Phase-II deepening of inner harbour entrance channel to cater to 12.5 metre draft vessels.
Tenders are now under evaluation for strengthening five berths in the inner harbour.
Techno-economic study for developing the east docks is being entrusted to Indian Ports Association. Proposal for development of WQ-7 and 8 berths, including mechanisation, is under process.
Mr. Kallam said the port was taking up eight projects under public-private parnership (PPP) mode and expressed the hope that it could handle a throughput of at least 85 million tonnes by 2012 by creating world-class facilities.
Performance
On its performance during the just concluded financial year, he said it could finish second after Kandla Port by handling 63.90 million tonnes as against 64.59 million tonnes in the previous year.
The stagnation in growth is attributed to recession, shift in part of trans-shipment cargo to Paradip following commissioning of pipeline up to Haldia, fall in iron ore traffic to China and diversion of coking coal and other bulk traffic to Gangavaram Port on ‘economic considerations.’
To a question, he said the port was commissioning a study by the Kolkata-based institute on finances involved in the shifting of fishing harbour to another area and make use of the vacated space for creating additional facilities for the port. “Even if found viable, its implementation will take a long time due to the requirement of about Rs. 600-800 crore,” he said.