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Paradip Port achieves Capesize vessel milestone
India’s Paradip Port Authority (PPA) recently achieved a significant operational milestone in berthing Mineral Kwangyang, its first-ever Capesize vessel with a 16.5m draft, at Western Dock 1. The achievement marks an important step forward in terms of PPA’s expanding capability to handle deep draft and large capacity bulk carriers.
Mineral Kwangyang is a Capesize bulk carrier measuring 292 m in length overall and 45 m in breadth, with a draft of 16.50 m. The vessel carried 152,702 tonnes of coking coal in nine holds, with the cargo originating from Hay Point, Australia.
The berthing of this vessel demonstrates the port of Paradise’s ability to handle larger bulk vessel types, thereby contributing to improved logistics efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround times for industry partners.
It has recently been confirmed that Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) has emerged as the highest bidder and received the Letter of Award (LoA) for the development and operation of two new dry bulk berths at Paradip. Under the 30-year concession project to be executed under the Public-Private Partnership model, APSEZ will develop CQ-I and CQ-II berths with mechanised cargo handling systems, deep draft berths and large-scale storage infrastructure, adding around 18 million tonnes of annualised capacity.
Located in a mineral-rich hinterland close to major steel plants, Paradip is India’s second-largest major port and a vital bulk cargo gateway. APSEZ says the Paradip terminal will boost its capacity to handle rising volumes of coal, limestone, and other dry bulk commodities.
