India: Krishnapatnam Port Wins Global Port Award

Krishnapatnam Port, a dynamic new generation world class port located in the East Coast of India has been adjudged the winner in the category of Port Operator Award at the Lloyd’s List Awards, Global 2011. The maritime industry’s prestigious award took place on September 20, 2011 at the London Hilton Park Lane. The award was received by Mr. Subhangshu Dutt, Executive Director, Krishnapatnam Port Pte. Ltd. (Singapore based arm of Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd.).

Krishnapatnam Port’s winning entry impressed the judges with both the scale of its ambition and an impressive list of tangible accomplishments over the past year. It was by no means the largest operator in the shortlist, but as one of India’s fastest growing seaports it has emerged as welcome addition to an economy increasingly reliant on efficient infrastructure projects. Among the other finalists were APM Terminals, DP World, General Organisation of Sea Ports, Portonave and Red Sea Gateway Terminal.

Commenting on both the fabulous news, the port’s CEO, Anil Yendluri said: “Winning this award, is a revalidation of our vision that we are heading in the right direction and the trade is recognizing our efforts. We are not only striving to boost the economy but also working towards the overall social well‐being of the region.”

The port is being built in three phases and currently the second phase of development is underway. Krishnapatnam Port is planning to invest INR 2,000 crore more to improve cargo handling efficiencies to meet the growing demand from local industries, thereby creating immense job opportunities. The fresh investment is in addition to INR 4,000 crore for the Phase II expansion announced in March 2009. Districts around the port has witnessed a significant economic development in the last couple of years with several multi‐product special economic zones, agri based and port based manufacturing facilities coming up requiring huge import and export handling facilities. Apart from coal‐fired power projects several palm oil and sugar refineries have already come up and more are lined up in the region. The port currently has the ability to handle cargoes like Agri products like Rice, Maize, General, Dry‐bulk like Barytes, Coking Coal, Edible Oil, Fertilizers, Granite, Gypsum, Iron Ore, Met Coke, Palm Kernel, Pet Coke, Quartz, Raw Sugar, Rock Phosphate, Steam Coal and Oversize & non‐standard cargo.

Krishnapatnam Port plans to increase its installed capacity to around 70 million tons a year by end of 2012. Under the Phase II development, an Integrated Container Terminal is planned that will commence operations from end of this month. Krishnapatnam Port has already signed a MoU with Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) to develop rail infrastructure for Containerized Cargo. The all‐weather container terminal with a planned annual capacity of 3 million TEU with no tidal restrictions will be the ideal focus for global trade.

Krishnapatnam Port’s abilities were also recognized by another trade body ‐ mjunction and IHS McCloskey when it awarded the ‘Coal Port of the year’ award at the 2nd Indian Coal Industry Awards Dinner held at The Oberoi Hotel, New Delhi on the evening of Tuesday, September 27, 2011. The port has also become the finalists for the Port Operator Award at the esteemed Lloyd’s List Awards Asia 2011 and is shortlisted for the Best Dry Bulk Port at the celebrated IBJ Awards 2011.

With numerous strengths like its strategic location, outstanding services and facilities, Krishnapatnam Port is evolving as a hub for export‐import cargo and it will soon be poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world and the largest port in India.

[mappress]

Source: krishnapatnam, October 17, 2011