Leighton: Vizag Port Project Progresses Ahead of Schedule (India)

Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt. Ltd, a leading Australian construction company, is fast heading towards completion of a major project in Visakhapatnam port. This is a landmark project for Leighton Welspun as it represents its first project in the sector.

The project involves mechanization of coal handling facilities and up-gradation of the general cargo berth at the outer harbour of Visakhapatnam Port, to cater to 200,000 DWT vessels through public private partnership on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer basis.

The work undertaken includes: civil, mechanical & electrical works for installation of a suitably designed system for unloading of coal at the rate of 70,000 TPD via 3 ship un-loaders. The berth structure is 356m long and 21m wide.

It included installation of 200 cast in situ piles, casting and installation of 850 precast concrete elements and pouring of approximately 19,000 m3 of concrete.The berth was constructed to support 3 ship unloading cranes which will allow for the mechanisation of the coal unloading facility.

The main challenge in executing the works for this project was the port authorities requirement to maintain operation of the existing berth through the duration of the construction activities. To cater to this need the work was carried out in two phases.

Works continue on the buildings and terminal operational facilities with the balance of the contract works to complete within the next few weeks, bringing to conclusion another successfully completed project.

The project team has already completed the berth, almost 3 months ahead of schedule, and is in process of wrapping up the balance activities, all of which will also complete ahead of plan.

These works at Visag are for a coal terminal and will add much needed capacity to the coal import sector which in turn benefits the power and steel industries.

About Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt Ltd.

Leighton Holdings, Australia’s largest construction contracting and project development company, first established a presence in India through its subsidiary Leighton Contractors India Pvt Ltd in1998. The Indian subsidiary grew substantially in the 2000’s and in 2011, Welspun acquire a 35% stake to from Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt. Ltd (LWIN).

LWIN is one of India’s most respected international contractors, operating across a diverse range of sectors including Oil & Gas, Buildings, and Infrastructure & Mining.

The Company has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, and a team of over 1000 staff, as well as more than 2,500 strong direct work forces.

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Dredging Today Staff, May 23, 2012; Image: leightonwelspun