Essar’s Paradip Terminal Hits Record Throughput

Essar Bulk Terminal Paradip Ltd (EBTPL) has surpassed several of its own performance benchmarks in the first few months of the current fiscal. In the period, EBTPL achieved the highest load rate ever recorded at Paradip port. This was made possible through loading of bigger parcel sizes, faster turnaround of vessels and minimised berth stay durations.

EBTPL successfully loaded more than 100,000 tonne of pellets into MV Shravan (sailed) at an average load rate of almost 4,300 tonnes per hour (TPH), which is a record. In contrast in FY2016, EBTPL had loaded 75,000 tonne in a vessel in 18 hours, achieving a load rate of nearly 4,200 TPH.

Overall cargo handling by Essar Ports Ltd (EPL), which is the holding company of EBTPL, has witnessed a significant jump in the last four months. During April 2017-July 2017, EBTPL alone handled close to 1 million tonne of cargo. This is a growth of nearly 40% when compared to the 0.7 tonnes handled in the same period last year.  In FY2017, EBTPL successfully berthed bigger vessels and has accommodated a 106,000 DWT vessel (loading)—the largest in the history of the port.

EBTPL’s improved operational performance comes on the back of enhanced production delivered by Essar Steel, its anchor client that recorded its highest ever pellet production in July 2016. With Essar Steel production expected to increase further in FY17, total cargo handling at Paradip is also likely to grow significantly, with port traffic expanding by more than 100%.

Mr Rajiv Agarwal, Managing Director, Essar Ports, said: “This year, our terminal has not only berthed the biggest vessel for loading, but also recorded the highest ever loading rate at Paradip Port. We will continue to focus on delivering operational excellence and setting new benchmarks. We thank the Paradip Port Trust authorities for their unstinting support in helping us attain our performance goals.”