VPT handled 65.30 MT cargo in 2018-19

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman MT Krishna Babu has said that the port made remarkable progress, handling 65.30 million tonnes of cargo during the financial year 2018-19 as against 63.54 million tonnes last year, registering a cargo traffic growth of 5 per cent during the last three years.

Recalling the development works during the past five years, Krishna Babu, whose five-year-term as VPT Chairman will expire on May 11, said as part of mechanisation, modernisation and deepening, 15 capacity additional projects were taken with an investment of Rs 3,171 crore of which 11 were completed and four continue to be in progress.

Further, he stated that concrete measures were taken to bring down pollution levels in the port area. "Despite tough competition, the VPT could achieve desired results because of its well laid out strategies. VPT is able to maintain a healthy financial position at an operating ratio of 52 per cent. The operating income of Rs 1,158 crore realised in 2018-19 is the highest ever in the annals of the port, registering an operating surplus of Rs 546 crore," he added.

He indicated that VPT has a bright future and its capacity is all set to touch 145 MMTPA in the next two years. He expressed his gratitude to VPT employees for their consistent support during his tenure. Later, he inaugurated a blood donation camp, and other events scheduled for the day.