Krishnapatnam Port celebrates its first anniversary

Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL) - a dynamic new generation world class port, celebrates its first anniversary on July 17, 2009. Post the completion of first phase, in a record time of 18 months, it was inaugurated and dedicated to the nation a year ago by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Hon’ble Chairperson UPA. It has been a very successful year for the port and with the second phase of development looking all the more promising; it will soon be poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world.

Though port is in its maiden year, it is already setting remarkable benchmarks not only by handling a wide range of cargo mix varying from Iron Ore, Coal, Coke, Fertilizers, Project Cargo, Raw Sugar, Granite, Quartz, Rock Phosphate & Gypsum but has also raked in 8.4 Million MT of cargo in its 1st year of operations (FY 2008-09).

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Krishnapatnam Port congratulated the entire staff for the commendable all-round growth that the port has achieved. He states, “We have just set sail and have already managed to be recognized in the business circle around the world. This has only been possible due to our skill of building and operating the port in a very high standard giving the utmost value to all our customers. Our belief in innovating, improving and adapting to the needs of our clients is the success formula in making it India’s biggest multipurpose port with an infrastructure and logistic setup of international calibre.”

The port is being built in three phases and it has recently achieved Rs. 4,000/- crore financial closure for the 2nd phase of development especially at a time when the world economic conditions are apprehensive on new investment strategies. This has only been possible since KPCL has numerous strengths like its area, location, weather and the credentials of CVR group that is promoting this port.

Krishnapatnam Port’s master plan includes 42 berths with a total Quay length of 12.5 kms and draft of 20 mtrs, capable of handling 200,000 DWT super capesize vessels. It has a huge back up area of 6500 acres for transit storage that will house a dedicated container terminal, an import hub port for coal for the 14000 MW power projects coming up in its vicinity, an export hub port for iron ore along with the capacity to handle fertilizers, petrochemicals, break bulk cargo, project cargo and automobiles. It will also have shipbuilding & repairing facilities along with world class bunkering, rig repairing and offshore facilities.

As compared to other major ports in India, Krishnapatnam port has state-of-the-art equipments, excellent connectivity, strong security systems, end-to-end services with single window clearance provision, along with integrated real time control of cargo handling and management information system for smooth functioning of operations at the port.

In time to come, it will play a catalytic role in leading an industrial revolution to its hinterland comprising Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Karnataka, Eastern Maharashtra & Northern Tamil Nadu by becoming the gateway for exports from and imports to SEZs, Logistic parks, Cement, Steel & Thermal Power plants.

When fully operational, Krishnapatnam Port will stand tall with pride by being the Largest port in India.