Cargo Terminal may operate from Feb at Paradip Port

PARADIP: Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT)  is likely to become operational by February next year.  “M V FAN ZHOU, carrying two container cranes, was berthed at this new facility on Tuesday, under the guidance of Paradip Port Trust (PPT),” said in-charge deputy conservator, Atulya Kumar Mohapatra. Besides containers, other clean cargo will be handled at this berth.

Paradip International Cargo Terminal Private Limited (PICT) was awarded the contract for development of multipurpose berth to handle clean cargo, including containers at Paradip Port on Build-Operate-Transfer basis for 30 years. The depth at this berth will be developed to 17.1 metres with a length of 450 metres, which also will facilitate handling cape-sized vessels up to 1,25,000 DWT.

“Non-hazardous and dust-free cargoes, including iron and steel products, aluminium ingots, pig iron, finished fertiliser, food grains and sugar (both raw and finished) will be handled efficiently in the multi-purpose berth,” sources said. Now, the number of berths at the port has been increased to 18.

24 vessels complete movement in a day

Adding yet another feather to its cap, Paradip Port successfully completed the movement of 24 vessels in a day on Monday. Earlier, the Port had set a record of completing the movement of 19 vessels in a day. The marine department of PPT handled nine, seven and eight vessels in the first, second and third shifts respectively. A total of 2,37,341 MMT cargo was handled on the same day.

“This has been possible due to the efficiency of marine pilots of PPT, concerned stevedores and the co-operation extended by the traffic department,” said AK Mohapatra, in-charge deputy conservator and harbour master.