India-Myanmar container service calls on AP port

The fortnightly container direct service operated by the Shipping Corporation on India (SCI) linking the subcontinent with Yangon in Myanmar and Colombo made its maiden call to Krishnapatnam Port on Friday. 

INS Kamal, the 1200 TEUs vessel, which set its sail from Chennai port, arrived at the container terminal facilitating traders to export clinker, telecom equipment and cars and import of pulses, timber and garments.

“Under the Look East policy of the Government of India every port on the east gets a boost. Initially the Chennai-Krishnapatnam-Yangon will be a fortnightly service but soon we want to make it a weekly trip. On this maiden trip the vessel will reach Yangon on 8 October, and return here on 18 October,” says Capt S.Narula, Director-Liner and Passenger service, SCI who was here to participate in the celebrations marking the arrival of INS Kamal.

However Narula says that any passenger service from east coast might take two more years to materialize. SCI has a fleet size of almost 120 ships, is now planning to launch another route linking East Coast with Vietnam and Thailand. “This route will open up within three to six months,” Capt Narula said.

“Ours is the deepest port in the country with 18.5 meters draft that could service super capsize vessels. We have 11 berths on the either side of the port and our aim is to have 42 berths and a draft of 20 meters,” said C.Sasidhar, MD, Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. He said that the fastest growing port on the eastern coast of the country has achieved a 30% increase in volumes during 2013-2014 doing more than 35 MTPA earning a revenue of Rs 1600 crore for the same period.

Currently in the second phase of its development, the Krishnapatnam Port will be soon building another Port at Machilipatnam. The Machilipatnam port will come up with a concrete embankenment on the sides considering the type of soil conditions there.

 “It will be a boon for the new capital city Vijayawada as it will facilitate smooth movement of cargo .As soon the government sets the land acquisition process in motion we will start working on the new project.” Sasidhar said. The port management is also talking to Coastal operators to start a Yangon-KPCL-Visakhapatnam coastal service.