Bhubaneswar: Paradip Port Sunday handled its deepest-draft Capesize vessel to date, successfully berthing the 292-metre-long MV Mineral Kwangyang, with a draft of 16.5 metres at Western Dock-1.
The milestone marks a significant expansion of the port’s capacity to handle large bulk carriers.
The vessel, carrying 1,52,702 tonnes of coking coal from Hay Point, Australia, arrived at Paradip September 5 and was berthed at 6am Sunday.
The successful berthing of the Capesize vessel, measuring 45 metres in breadth, demonstrates the port’s enhanced ability to accommodate larger and higher-capacity bulk carriers.
The development is expected to improve cargo-handling efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround time for major industrial users.
The milestone was achieved through coordinated efforts of the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Jindal Paradip Port Ltd (JPPL).
Rajendra Kumar, Traffic Manager, PPA, and Sandeep Jaiswal, Deputy CEO, JPPL, exchanged pleasantries after the successful berthing.
PPA Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit congratulated the teams of PPA and JPPL and appreciated their coordinated efforts in handling the deep-draft vessel.
The development strengthens Paradip’s position as a major gateway for bulk cargo and underscores its growing capability to handle larger vessels serving India’s maritime and industrial sectors.