Visakhapatnam, India
Visakhapatnam is a major Indian port city renowned for its vibrant beaches, maritime heritage, and industrial significance.
Port Overview
Visakhapatnam, located on the east coast of India in Andhra Pradesh, is the country’s third largest port by cargo volume and the largest on the Eastern Coast. Strategically positioned between Kolkata and Chennai, it serves as a key maritime gateway for trade with Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond. The port is vital for both commercial shipping and the Indian Navy, hosting the Eastern Naval Command. Visakhapatnam Port handles over 70 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, with an annual container (TEU) capacity of approximately 650,000 TEUs.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Visakhapatnam Port features key terminals for handling iron ore, coal, containers, and petroleum products. It includes a deep draft Oil Tanker Terminal and a container terminal equipped with Post Panamax cranes and reach stackers. The port's facilities are supported by advanced equipment such as ship loaders and conveyor systems. It also offers warehousing, pilotage, and tug services, enhancing its role as a major maritime hub.
Container Terminals
Visakhapatnam Port operates container terminals across both Inner and Outer Harbours, with a total of 31 berths handling diverse cargo types. The port's container handling capacity stands at approximately 5.28 lakh TEUs combined between two dedicated container terminals. The primary operator is Visakha Container Terminal Private Limited, which manages both terminals under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) agreements. The port has been implementing advanced technology solutions including automation in cargo handling operations to enhance throughput efficiency. In FY 2023-24, the container terminal achieved 6.65 lakh TEUs with significant improvements in operational metrics.
Port Services
- Container handling: Dedicated container terminal with deep draft berths, modern equipment, and direct rail connectivity for efficient container operations.
- Cargo operations: Handles bulk, break-bulk, liquid, and general cargo including coal, iron ore, alumina, petroleum products, and LPG, with mechanized loading/unloading systems.
- Ship services: Pilotage, berthing, bunkering, ship repair, firefighting, and vessel traffic management.
- Warehousing: On-site storage for bulk and general cargo, container yards, and specialized warehousing facilities.
- Customs: Integrated customs clearance, electronic documentation, and inspection facilities for smooth import/export processing.
Global Connectivity
Visakhapatnam Port is a major gateway on India’s east coast, directly connected by rail and road to the Golden Quadrilateral, NH-16, and key industrial regions like Hyderabad, Raipur, Nagpur, and Kalinganagar. It serves central and eastern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with shipping routes linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and global markets. The port offers mainline container services and is closest to feeder ports in the upper Bay of Bengal, ensuring efficient international connectivity.
Port Statistics
Visakhapatnam Port Statistics:
- TEU Throughput: Not specified for containers, but it handled 81.09 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2023-24.
- World Ranking: Ranked 19th in the Container Port Performance Index.
- Number of Berths: 31 berths across two harbors.
- Area: Not specified.
- Shipping Lines: Serves as a major gateway for international trade, but specific shipping lines are not detailed.
