VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) is set for another milestone by retaining its premier port status for a record seventh time in a row.

The challenges posed by the fall in iron ore exports and stiff competition notwithstanding, VPT has achieved this by attracting transhipment cargo. "As of today, we have handled a cargo of 56 million tonnes while other ports have touched the 50 million tonne mark," a VPT official said.

Very large crude carriers, which used to be diverted to Kakinada, Paradip and other ports by the oil majors, are now coming to VPT. The port could also increase the handling of fertilizer, iron ore pellets and foodgrains.

The Ministry of Shipping had set a target of 61 million tonnes for the current fiscal. The port had handled a throughput of 55.8 million tonnes during the last fiscal.

Iron ore exports through the port fell from 13.4 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 12.95 million tonnes in 2005-06. This year [2006-07] it will be close to 10 million tonnes. The drop is attributed to hefty increase in freight rates by the railways and delay on the part of MMTC in signing agreements with its clients in Japan.

As part of its business plan, VPT has appointed Rotterdam Maritime Group of the Netherlands, with TCS as its Indian associate, for preparing a road map for its expansion. At present, two BOT (build-own-transfer) berths are proposed. Work is under way for modernising the facilities at 16 berths in the Inner Harbour and eight in the Outer Harbour. Ore Handling Complex modernisation is awaiting the Centre's nod with loan from Japan Bank of International Cooperation.

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