Minimal berth idle time with 27.5 moves per crane hour, turnaround time of just 21.4 hours, says top VPA official.
HYDERABAD, Aug 3 (The CONNECT) -Visakhapatnam Port (VPT) has emerged as one of the top 20 ports globally, thanks to a series of strategic modernisation and infrastructure upgrades that have drastically improved its operational efficiency and global standing.
Stating this, N. Sridhar, Principal Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), told a trade meet in Hyderabad on Friday evening that with improved turnaround times, mechanised operations, and real-time cargo tracking, Visakhapatnam Port is now the fastest among Indian ports.
The Trade Meet was jointly organised with the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) and saw participation from over 200 exporters and importers.
Key performance indicators for the port include 27.5 moves per crane hour, reducing the turnaround time of just 21.4 hours, and thus making minimal berth idle time.
These metrics underscore the port’s ability to efficiently handle container vessels, thereby strengthening customer confidence and preference.
Sridhar announced that the cargo handling target for FY 2025–26 is set at 90 million tonnes (MT), up from 82.62 MT handled in the previous fiscal.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines, he revealed that a 10-lane, 15-kilometre access road is being constructed to connect the port directly with major highways, significantly easing traffic congestion and ensuring smoother logistics movement.
FTCCI president R Ravi Kumar emphasized the critical role of ports in India’s trade landscape, noting that 95% of India’s exports by volume and 70% by value are routed via sea ports.
Maritime trade remains essential for the country’s global competitiveness. The Telugu states stand to benefit greatly from VPT’s rise, with projected cargo traffic growth of 3–6% annually and utilisation stabilising at 55% in the medium term, he pointed out.
