Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping & Water Resources, to inaugurate facility
- 24 MTPA mechanised iron ore handling complex built on the outer harbour of Vizag Port at an investment of Rs 830 crore
- Expansion strengthens nation’s vision of Sagarmala and coastal cargo movement
- Can berth Super Capesize vessels of up to 200,000 tonnes connected via a 9.5-km conveyor from stockyard to port
- Ore receiving capacity of 16 million tonnes per annum from railway rakes
- Essar Ports’ total cargo handling capacity increases to 95 MTPA
Mumbai / Visakhapatnam, 12 July 2018: Essar Vizag Terminal Ltd (EVTL) today dedicated to the nation its newly commissioned 24 MTPA Vizag iron ore handling complex, which will be inaugurated by Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources.
“The Vizag iron ore handling complex is a facility that is truly a national asset. We are committed to realising the Government’s vision of port-led development.” said Mr Prashant Ruia, Director-Essar.
With its state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, the iron ore handling complex will have the fastest vessel turnaround time for iron ore among Indian ports. Following the project completion, the cargo loading capacity of the facility has been upgraded to 24 MTPA. The iron ore handling complex can now berth Super Capesize vessels up to 200,000 DWT, with a depth of 20 metres, on the outer harbour of Vizag Port.
Special emphasis was given to make the iron ore handling complex environment-friendly. Focus on global best practices in mechanisation and sustainable environment protection has significantly reduced dust emission and spillage, thus improving the carbon footprint and working conditions of the port. EVTL has also strengthened the entire 9.5-km conveyor network and upgraded to PLC automation, which will enable record cargo handling performance.
EVTL took over the project in 2015 on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis for a period of 30 years. The iron ore handling complex is an all-weather, deep draft facility that is equipped to serve the rapidly growing markets of South-East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. It has dedicated rail connectivity for cargo evacuation from the states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Mr Rajiv Agarwal, Managing Director, Essar Ports Ltd, added: “The project will help exporters on the east coast benefit from shorter turnaround times and reduced freight costs. The facility will support both export and coastal traffic, furthering the vision of the Sagarmala initiative. We thank the Vizag Port authorities for supporting us in completing this expansion project.”
About Essar Ports
Essar Ports specialises in development and operations of ports and terminals for handling dry bulk, break bulk, liquid and general cargo. It is one of the largest private sector port operators in India in terms of capacity and throughput. It has four operational terminals in India—one each in Hazira and Salaya (both in Gujarat) on the west coast, and in Visakhapatnam and Paradip on the east coast. The current operational capacity of the port terminals in India is 95 MTPA, which is expected to increase to 110 MTPA.
Media contact:
Manish Kedia, Senior Vice President – Corporate Affairs, Essar
Phone: +91 98197 30092, Email: manish.kedia@essar.com
Ravi Muthreja, Vice President – Corporate Communication, Essar
Phone: +91 99301 34566, Email: Ravi.Muthreja@essar.com
Trupti Sakpal, Adfactors PR Ltd.
Phone: +91 9930896738, Email: trupti.sakpal@adfactorpr.com
Gaurang Damor, Adfactors PR Ltd.
Phone: +91 7021678426, Email: gaurang.damor@adfactorspr.com