Krishnapatnam port, 180 km north of Chennai, is all set to handle containers in a big way, stressed Mr Anil Yendluri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the facility.
He was speaking at a trade meet organised here by Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal (KPCT), which saw the infrastructure strengths of the facility being showcased. It was pointed out that the terminal has procured the requisite gantry cranes and other automated handling equipment, thereby enhancing its handling capacity to 1.2 million TEUs a year. The terminal is expected to handle around 6 million TEUs when fully completed in 2016, highlighted Mr Yendluri.
Mr Kalyana Rama, Chief General Manager of the Container Corporation of India's (CONCOR) South Central Region, who was the chief guest of the function, pointed out that CONCOR provides rail connectivity to the port from Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Krishnapatnam port, part of the CVR and Navayuga Group of Companies, started operations in 2008 with four berths for bulk handling. It presently has 10 operational berths and is expanding. The aim is to develop Krishnapatnam as a mega port in South Asia by 2016-17 when it is expected to handle a whopping 200 million tonnes of cargo with forty two berths of 12.5 kilometres length.
Mr Jithendra, Vice-President (Marketing) of KPCT, gave an audio-visual presentation on the port's infrastructure and facilities. Mr A. V. Vijayakumar, President of Chennai CHAA, and Mr T. Raja Sekhar, Secretary, Chennai Timber and Plywood Merchants' Association (Importers Wing), chaired the event.
The open interactive session with trade representatives saw enthusiastic participation, with attendees, including freight forwarders and shipping lines, complimenting the port for its infrastructure and expressing their desire to operate through the facility.
Mr Mohan, Manager-Marketing, welcomed the gathering, while Mr Kalyan Chakravarthy, DGM-Marketing, proposed the vote of thanks. The trade meet was well attended by exporters, importers, service providers and the shipping fraternity at large, according to Exim News Service.