Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) celebrated its 93rd Foundation Day on October 7, marking over nine decades of maritime evolution since its opening to ocean traffic in 1933 with the arrival of the passenger vessel S.S. Jaladurga.
The port has witnessed exponential growth from a modest 0.13 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1933-34 to a record-breaking 91.17 MMT in 2025-26, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7% over the last four years.
Performance momentum continued into the current fiscal, with the VPA handling 46.14 MMT during April–September 2026, marking a 7% improvement over the corresponding period last year, alongside a 37% reduction in average vessel waiting time to 0.45 hours.
Modernisation
To reinforce its standing as a primary maritime gateway on India’s east coast, VPA is executing infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹615 crore. Key ongoing initiatives include a ₹334.89-crore internal flyover system designed to eliminate nine railway level crossings, alongside berth mechanisation and O&M projects valued at around ₹400 crore scheduled for commissioning by March 2027.
The port houses India’s deepest container terminal with a 16-metre draft capable of handling mainline vessels up to 390 metres LoA, supported by uninterrupted rail connectivity that moved 33.75 million tonnes of cargo last year. Operational reliability has been further reinforced through digital integration, featuring an RFID-based gate management system, the i-Portman Port Operation System, and an upcoming Integrated Command and Control System utilizing AI and IoT technologies.
Sustainability
Aligning with environmental mandates, VPA is expanding its 10 MW solar power plant to 30 MW at an estimated cost of ₹70 crore and upgrading its sewage treatment plant to 15 MLD. Green cover spans approximately 1,070 acres, constituting nearly 28% of the total port area. Furthermore, VPA sanctioned 31 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects worth ₹724.17 lakh, prioritising healthcare, community welfare, skill development, and education.
On the eve of the foundation day, Chairperson J.S. Bindra and Deputy Chairperson Roshni Aparanji Korati congratulated officers, employees, trade unions, and citizens of Visakhapatnam for their contribution to the port’s sustained growth.
Published – October 06, 2026 08:14 pm IST
