The Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), which is one the state-run major ports, is targeting a 5 per cent increase in cargo handling to 64 million tonne in fiscal 2018, a top official said today.
The port will be focusing on reducing pollution and is planning to appoint an international consultant on environmental management in the next two months, chairman MT Krishna Babu told reporters here.
Its cargo handling went up to 61 million tonne in fiscal 2017 from 57 million tonne in the previous year, he said, adding it is targeting to increase it further to 64 million tonne this year.
The port has an installed capacity of handling 98 million tonne cargo per annum and the same is planned to be increased to 131 million tonne in two years.
Babu said work on projects entailing an investment of over Rs 2,371 crore are on in full swing.
The port has a 185-km rail network internally with 32 handling terminals, he said, urging all stakeholders to make best use of the port's services.
Sushil Mulchandani, the chief operating officer at the DP World-JM Baxi-run Visakha Container Terminal, said his company is planning to double its capacity in the next two years by carrying out an expansion project.
Babu said following a suggestion from Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the port has taken the decision to appoint the consultant for curbing pollution.
The port has already taken several steps for reducing pollution to the minimum level and the consultant will advise on environmental related issues.
He said the port has taken measures to encourage handling of clean cargo and many incentives have been given to the trade such as waiving off port charges on vessels carrying clean cargo.
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