Visakhapatnam Port Berths First Panamax in Inner Harbour for Alumina

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has achieved a significant operational milestone by successfully berthing a Panamax-class vessel at its Inner Harbour for the first time. The development marks a critical expansion of the port’s vessel-handling capabilities, specifically for the mechanical loading of dry bulk exports.

On November 4, 2026, the M.V. GUAN YUAN JU XING berthed at the WQ-5 Berth to load approximately 30,600 metric tonnes of export alumina for the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). While Panamax vessels frequently call at major Indian ports, their access to inner harbour basins is often restricted by draft limitations and navigational constraints. This successful berthing confirms that VPA’s inner harbour infrastructure and mechanical cargo-handling arrangements can now accommodate larger vessel classes for specialized industrial cargo.

Operational and Commercial Impact

The transition to handling Panamax vessels in the Inner Harbour directly supports the export requirements of major industrial players like NALCO. By utilizing mechanical loading systems at the WQ-5 Berth for larger ships, the port improves the efficiency of the alumina supply chain, likely reducing time-in-port for bulk carriers and lowering per-tonne logistics costs for exporters.

For the chartering market and vessel operators, this development signals increased flexibility at Visakhapatnam. The ability to bring Panamax tonnage into the Inner Harbour allows the port authority to optimize berth utilization across its entire complex. This shift potentially frees up Outer Harbour capacity for deeper-draft vessels, such as Capesize carriers, thereby enhancing the port’s overall throughput and competitiveness as a primary gateway on India’s eastern seaboard.

The operation highlights a coordinated advancement in port navigation, berth infrastructure, and mechanical loading synchronization. As VPA continues to refine its vessel-handling capabilities, the successful loading of the M.V. GUAN YUAN JU XING serves as a proof of concept for future large-scale bulk export operations from the Inner Harbour, reinforcing the port’s role in facilitating India’s mineral and industrial trade.

Source: India Shipping News