Coal news and updates

Krishnapatnam Port has inaugurated ‘Mechanised Coal Handling system’ in the presence of Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Union Minister of Shipping and Transport.

 

This move increases efficiency of port operations.

 

The two TRF ship-unloaders, each with a capacity of 1500 tonnes capacity per hour have been added. This mechanised system would facilitate quick unloading of coal through the ship unloaders and conveyed through a conveyor system which has a capacity of 3,000 tonnes per hour that can directly transport cargo to its destination.

 

According to the port, this would enhance the berth productivity to 12 million tonnes per annum, eliminating all intermediary supply chain/logistics costs ensuring quality, zero handling loss and faster evacuation of cargo. This automation is slated to phase out all the existing multi-handling and manual operation system.

 

Anil Yendluri, Director & CEO, Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited, said "We look forward to commissioning a few more ship unloaders making the cargo handling at our port completely mechanized."

 

Krishnapatnam Port handles various types of coal from coking coal, met coke, pet coke and thermal coal. It is expecting a 50 per cent revenue growth for this fiscal year. During, FY 2013-14, the total cargo handled was 25 million tons out of which 20 million tons was the coal import contribution.

 

KPCL forecasts it’s volumes to cross 40 million tons in the current financial year. Several power companies are currently building coal-fired electricity generating units in and around Krishnapatnam with a capacity that is likely to go upto 15,000 MW.

 

These power plants cumulatively would be importing at least 70 MTPA of their coal requirement through Krishnapatnam port.

 

The port Master Plan incorporates 42 berths with a total quay length of 12.5 km and a draft of 22 meters, capable of handling 300,000 DWT super capsize vessels.

 

The port has witnessed a total investment of nearly $ 1 Billion till date, meeting the global standards in providing world-class service and facilities.

 

Krishnapatnam port is expected to become a hub for industrialisation and coal imports are surging with an expectation to hit 100 MTPA in the next 10 years.

 

 

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/