Post the taking over of Vishakhapatnam Port Trust?s (VPT?s) Iron Ore Handling Complex (OHC) on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 30 years in May 2015, Essar Vizag Terminals Ltd (EVTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Essar Ports Ltd (EPL) has boosted the EPL?s strategy of diversifying its customer profile. Through addition of this facility, EPL has seen its third-party cargo share jump to more than 8 per cent in FY 16 alone with the likes of JSW, NMDC/MMTC etc. Once upgraded, the mechanised system will be able to reach a capacity of 8,000TPH, which will be one of the highest cargo-handling rate in Indian Major Ports.

During QI FY 17, EVTL handled 2.19 MT (29 vessels) of cargo as against 0.31 MT (six vessels) in Q1 of FY16 on the backdrop of improving Indian steel sector performance and project upgradation works. EVTL is now operating with a net average loading rate of 3,000 TPH as against <1,000 TPH during Q1 of FY16 and is targeting to achieve 4,000 TPH by Q2 of FY 17 along with simultaneous project upgradation.