The government-owned iron ore handling complex project at Vizag port in India has been acquired by Essar Ports Ltd, which will operate it as a concession for 30 years.

The new operating subsidiary, Essar Vizag Terminals, will build three berths: two in the outer harbour and one in the inner harbour. These will be built in two phases and add a combined 23,000,000 tonnes to the port's capacity. Once operational, they should reduce overall turnaround time by a minimum of 50%.

The project, which has been costed at $187 million over three years, will see the two outer berths upgraded as part of an initial phase, while the mechanization of the inner harbour berth will form phase 2. The facility will send consignments to China, Japan and South Korea, as well is to other ports across India. It will be linked by rail to the surrounding iron ore mining areas.

BC