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Krishnapatnam Overtakes Mundhra to Become India’s Deepest Draft Port

  • Indian port increase draft to 18.5 meters.Krishnapatnam Port is now out on its own as the deepest draft port in India, with the port now capable of accepting vessels with a maximum permissible draft of 18 meters.The port located on India’s East coast now boasts a draft of 18.5 meters, to overtake Mundhra Port as India’s deepest.In July 2008, when the port was dedicated to the nation, the maximum available draft alongside the berths was only 10.5 meters.
  • The port performs its own dredging works, having three suction cutters and three suction cutter-dredgers and its own dedicated dredging team.The deepening of the port's draft is just a small part of Krishnapatnam's overall plan of becoming the largest port in India, with the port earmarking US$4 billion of investment to expand the port over the next few years.The expansion includes the construction of 42 new berths, with a capacity of 200 million tpa, as well as dedicated terminals for RoRo, cruise, and liquid bulk.
  • Container operations began at the port four months ago, and handled its first set of laden containers, containing cotton bales, on January 29, 2012.A total of 1,456 TEU were exchanged through the unloading of the Maersk Dalton, which is now destined for ports off mainland China.Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal has now handled in excess of 24,000 TEU.The ongoing work to develop the port into one of India’s major port hubs was recognized in September last year after the Krishnapatnam Port was awarded Port Operator of the Year at the prestigious Lloyd’s List Global Awards in London.

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