The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, Nitin Gadkari, will inaugurate India’s largest 24 mtpa iron ore handling complex, built by Essar Vizag Terminal Ltd (EVTL) at a cost of Rs 830 crore at the Visakhapatnam port.

According to a press release, he will dedicate the latest facility to the nation on Friday.

With its advanced cargo handling equipment, the iron ore handling complex will have the fastest vessel turnaround time of 120,000 tonnes per day among Indian ports.

The complex, which has a berth length of 325 metres, can now berth super capesize vessels up to 200,000 DWT, with a depth of 20 metres, at the outer harbour of Vizag port.

EVTL has made investments in ramping up the capacity and installing the latest cargo handling equipment at the complex, which include : a 27 tips/hour twin-tippler, a 30 tips/hour rotary tippler, two 2,700 TPH (tonnes per hour) stackers, two 4,000 TPH reclaimers and a 8,000 TPH ship-loader.

Special emphasis was given to make the complex environment-friendly. Focus on global best practices in mechanisation and sustainable environment protection has significantly reduced dust emission and spillage, improving the working conditions of the port.

The release added that Essar Vizag Terminal has also strengthened the 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 from Visakhapatnam Port Trust.

“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 Prashant Ruia, Director-Essar.

“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,” added  Rajiv Agarwal, the Managing Director of  Essar Ports Ltd.

“We now aim to become the port of choice for exporters in the region.” said  Ch Satyanand, CEO of Essar Vizag Terminals Ltd.

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