Krishnapatnam Port Company (KPCL) announced that it has handled 45 million metric tonne(MMT) of cargo in 2017-18 (FY18), achieving a 25 per cent growth over 36.10 MMT handled in the previous fiscal. The company witnessed a record 88 per cent rise in the number of containers handled at 4,81,408 TEUs vis-?-vis 2,55,439 TEUs during the last fiscal. Total bulk cargo handled by the port stood at 37 MMT.

Coal, iron ore and granite dominated the cargo portfolio handled at Krishnapatnam Port. It is now aspiring to achieve 52 MMT in bulk and two lakh TEUs in containers this fiscal. The port has planned a total investment of $ 3 billion of which $ 1.23 billion has already been invested for development till date with second phase of expansion underway.

On the occasion, Anil Yendluri, Director and CEO, KPCL said, ?Favourable government policies and handling of new cargo such as sand, steel products and agri-commodities have added to the growth of our shipments. Cargo in Andhra-Telangana, north and east Karnataka, besides eastern parts of Maharashtra which were earlier going to other ports have witnessed an instant cost advantage availing route optimisation, multimodal connectivity, and competitive pricing after they switched to Krishnapatnam Port.?

He further added, ?Our world-class technology driven infrastructure further reiterates our claim to offer the most convenient and trade efficient gateway on the eastern periphery of the country.?

The number of vessels visiting the port rose by 22 per cent to 1,290 vessel calls in 2017-18 as against 1,061 vessels registered during the same period, last year. With government?s push towards solar energy, the port has also witnessed a sharp rise in solar related shipments. It has successfully concluded 13,084 FEUs of solar cargo for the year FY17-18.

Vinita Venkatesh, Director, Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal (KPCT) said ?The cargo spurt resulted partly from the growth of transshipment volumes at KPCT as the Indian flag operators like Shreyas Shipping provided transshipment feeder services from KPCT to Kolkata, Haldia, Vizag and Paradip. Further to provide higher cost benefits to importers and exporters, the port is offering door-to-door cargo logistics under its new service ?Ocean2Door?. The service will soon offer online cargo bookings too.?