Minister inaugurates key projects at Visakhapatnam Port

 

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, launched multiple capacity building initiatives worth more than Rs 276 crore at the Visakhapatnam Port here on Monday.

In a significant boost to modernisation and efficiency, he inaugurated a series of projects at the port with a total outlay of Rs 159.96 crore. Highlights include the commissioning of the new Oil Refinery Berth-2 (Rs 42 crore) and installation of advanced fire-fighting facilities at the OSTT Berth (Rs 27 crore), enhancing safety and capacity for liquid cargo. Infrastructure upgrades feature a covered storage shed at the R-10 area (Rs 22.50 crore), road improvements from WQ-5 Junction to Essar Junction (Rs 19.69 crore) and expansion of the Customs boundary wall (Rs 7.17 crore). Strengthening digital systems, the port will introduce a new RFID gate management system (Rs 15 crore), a modern Port Operating System (Rs 10.77 crore) and a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) worth Rs 15.83 crore, reaffirming Visakhapatnam Port’s commitment to smarter, safer and more efficient maritime operations.

The Minister also laid foundation stones for six projects with a total investment of more than Rs 116 crore with an aim to build new capacity for the port. Key initiatives include the construction of a B-Ramp within the port area (Rs 33.49 crore) and a new finger jetty and wharf in the fishing harbour (Rs 32.61 crore) to boost cargo handling and support the local fishing community. Further enhancing operational efficiency, the port will see two additional breasting dolphins at OSTT (Rs 20.87 crore) and an additional ramp linking the Ambedkar Centenary Flyover to the L-17 corridor (Rs 8.31 crore). To promote cruise tourism and public engagement, a public promenade near the cruise terminal (Rs 15.90 crore) will be developed, alongside the construction of toilet blocks at 15 locations across the port area (Rs 5.50 crore), improving amenities and accessibility. Together, these projects aim to strengthen Visakhapatnam Port’s role as a modern, inclusive and globally competitive maritime hub.

Mr T. K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW, spoke on bridging infrastructure gaps, overcoming fragmented logistics and improving the use of maritime routes. He highlighted the One Nation-One Port Process (ONOPP) for process standardisation, a BIMSTEC wide maritime skill certification system, and measures to boost coastal shipping and cruise tourism.

Dr Angamuthu, Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), highlighted Visakhapatnam’s strategic maritime significance and called for collaboration in port-led industrialisation, digital integration and maritime skill development, and emphasised the role of VPA as a hub for maritime education through the Centre of Excellence in Maritime Skill Development (CEMS).

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