Reports suggest that Krishnapatnam Port, located in Andhra Pradesh has handled 13.8 million tonne (mn t) cargo since April 2012. In 2011-12, the port loaded 15.9 mn t of cargo.
The port has the capacity to handle 40-45 mn t of cargo from 11 berths built with an investment of about Rs 4,000 crore. It is one of India’s deepest ports with a draft of 18.5 meter and is capable of accommodating the biggest ships operating today.
Iron ore shipments, which were the mainstay of the port when it started operations in July 2008; have since dwindled to zero owing to a ban on the export of the mineral from Karnataka, one of the country’s largest sources.
Coal replaced iron ore as the major commodity handled by the port to cater to the needs of power plants in the hinterland. From less than 100,000 tonne in 2008-09, the port loaded 11.3 mn t of coal in 2011-12. In the current financial year, the port aims to handle 15-16 mn t of coal.
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