Vishakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) marked a milestone by handling the largest cargo ever carried by a single vessel to an Indian port. The Newcastlemax size vessel, MV Huahine, arrived at Vishakhapatnam Port on Thursday, July 25, with a record 199,900 MT of manganese ore from Gabon, Central Africa.
The vessel, berthed at the Vizag General Cargo Berth operated by Vedanta, boasts a length overall (LOA) of 300 meters, a beam width of 50 meters, and an arrival draft of 18.46 meters. The cargo is allocated as follows: 124,500 MT for Vizag, 16,000 MT to be transshipped to Dhamra, and 59,400 MT to be transshipped to Haldia.
In response to this achievement, VPA Chairperson Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, convened a high-level meeting with stakeholders to discuss marketing strategies aimed at boosting cargo volumes. The shipment was facilitated by M/S ERAMET S.A. France, one of the largest exporters of manganese ore and a leading producer of high-grade manganese, nickel, and titanium globally.
“This shipment is a significant milestone for Vishakhapatnam Port and Bothra Shipping Services Pvt. Ltd. The port is thrilled to support such initiatives and is committed to transforming Vizag port into a hub for bulk cargo transshipment in the future,” said Dr. Angamuthu.
The successful handling of MV Huahine underscores VPA’s capacity to manage large-scale shipments and enhances its reputation as a key player in India’s maritime sector. With ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and services, Vishakhapatnam Port is poised to become a major hub for bulk cargo transshipment, further bolstering India’s position in global trade.
The arrival of MV Huahine signals the beginning of a new chapter for VPA, demonstrating its readiness to handle larger vessels and more substantial cargo volumes, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the country’s maritime industry.
