Visakhapatnam: As part of its preparation to handle Panamax vessels in the inner harbour, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has decided to float tenders to acquire two more hi-tech 100-tonne harbour mobile cranes on the build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) model.
Five such cranes are already in operation – two at berths WQ-1, 2 and 3, and three in EQ-8 and 9. Another two have been installed at WQ-6, and are expected to be commissioned soon.
The new cranes, when they arrive, will be deployed in EQ-5 and WQ-7, and are part of the plan to totally mechanise cargo handling. The port has 15 electric wharf cranes with capacities ranging from 10 to 20 tonnes.
Other proposals at the port include developing a multi-modal logistics hub as a joint venture between the VPT and the state-owned Balmer Lawrie & Co, a container freight station by a BOT operator in the port area, and a warehousing hub in a 500-acre area at Valluru, near Anakapalli.
