Paradip: Paradip Port has achieved a new operational milestone with the successful berthing of a giant Capesize vessel with a draft of 16.5 metres at Western Dock-1 (WD-1) for the first time.
The vessel, MV Mineral Kwangyang, measuring around 292 metres in length, arrived at Paradip carrying 1,52,702 metric tonnes of coking coal from Hay Point, Australia. The vessel was successfully berthed at Western Dock-1, marking a significant achievement in the port’s handling capabilities.
The successful berthing of a vessel with such a deep draft demonstrates the growing capacity of Paradip Port to accommodate larger and heavily loaded vessels. It is expected to facilitate the handling of bigger vessels carrying higher cargo volumes at the Western Dock, thereby improving operational efficiency and cargo-handling potential.
The achievement is also significant from the perspective of strengthening Paradip Port’s position as a major maritime gateway for bulk cargo, particularly coal and other dry bulk commodities.
Congratulating the teams for the achievement, Paradip Port Authority Chairman Sushanta Kumar Purohit appreciated Team PPA and Team JPPL for their coordinated efforts in successfully berthing the vessel at WD-1.
A Capesize vessel is among the largest classes of bulk carriers operating in the world’s oceans and is primarily used for transporting large quantities of commodities such as iron ore and coal. The successful handling of the 16.5-metre-draft vessel is expected to further enhance Paradip Port’s capability to handle large bulk carriers efficiently.
