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VPA celebrates nine decades of a remarkable growth journey
In Short
- Visakhapatnam Port celebrated its 93rd Foundation Day, marking its evolution since opening to ocean traffic on October 7, 1933
- VPA achieved its highest-ever cargo throughput of 91.17 million tonnes in 2025-26, following a steady rise from modest beginnings in 1933
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Visakhapatnam Port Authority celebrated its 93rd Foundation Day in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam: From a modest 0.13 MMT in 1933-34 to a record 91.17 MMT in 2025-26, Visakhapatnam Port’s journey reflects more than nine decades of maritime growth and transformation.
As Visakhapatnam Port celebrated its 93rd Foundation Day, its evolution over the past nine decades reflected several major milestones.
Back in 1933, its opening to maritime trade was marked by the arrival of the passenger vessel SS Jaladurga.
Opened to ocean traffic on October 7, 1933, with the arrival of the passenger vessel S.S. Jaladurga, Visakhapatnam Port was formally inaugurated on December 19, 1933, by Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India. Engineers W.C. Ash and O.B. Rattenbery played key roles in shaping the modern harbour.
From just 0.13 MMT in 1933-34, cargo traffic increased to 69.03 MMT in 2021-22, 73.75 MMT in 2022-23, 81.09 MMT in 2023-24, 82.62 MMT in 2024-25, and a record 91.17 MMT in 2025-26.
This year, during April–September, Visakhapatnam Port Authority handled 46.14 MMT, compared to 43.09 MMT during the corresponding period last year, registering a 7 percent improvement. Average vessel waiting time too improved by 37 percent, from 0.71 hours to 0.45 hours.
Visakhapatnam Port bagged the first place among major ports in cargo handling for five successive years from 2000-01 to 2004-05, handling 44.68 MMT, 44.34 MMT, 46.01 MMT, 47.74 MMT and 50.15 MMT, respectively. It became the first Indian major port to cross the 50-million-tonne mark.
In 2025-26, VPA achieved its highest-ever cargo throughput of 91.17 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record of 82.62 million tonnes and marking the fourth consecutive year of growth since 2021-22.
Transforming cargo handling from bullock carts to modern equipment such as RTGs and reach stackers, VPA has steadily evolved its infrastructure to support efficient cargo evacuation and operational reliability.
The proposed Dugarajapatnam Maritime Cluster, with shipbuilding and associated port infrastructure, along with the broader Bheemili coastal development vision, underlines the transition from Port development to port-led development, supporting investment, industrialisation, employment and regional economic growth.
The port is implementing infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs.615 crore, including the Rs.334.89-crore internal flyover system to eliminate nine railway level crossings, Rs.66.12-crore EQ-6 development and mechanisation, and Rs.38.73 crore railway infrastructure works. Also, deepening the Western Arm to 15.5 metres will further strengthen vessel accessibility.
In addition, O&M projects worth approximately Rs.400 crore are being taken up and are likely to be commissioned by March 2027.
As part of its digital transformation and smart port initiatives, VPA has introduced an RFID-based automated gate management system at a cost of approximately Rs.8 crore, incorporating facial recognition and ANPR technologies. To enable comprehensive end-to-end processing of stakeholder data and smoother port operations, VPA has implemented the i-Portman Port Operation System at a cost of approximately Rs.11 crore.
Marking the ‘93rd Foundation Day’, J.S. Bindra, Chairperson of the VPA and Roshni Aparanji Korati, Deputy Chairperson, congratulated officers, employees, trade unions, and citizens of Visakhapatnam for their continued support in the successful growth of the VPA as it records a milestone in the maritime sector.
Among others, Secretary of VPA M. Sankar Babu participated in the Foundation Day celebrations.
Over the decades, the port has emerged as a vital maritime gateway, supporting major industries and contributing significantly to the regional and national economy. Today, it handles key cargo sectors including steel, power, mining, petroleum, fertilisers and containers.
With investments in solar power, fishing harbour modernisation, container infrastructure and cruise tourism, Visakhapatnam Port is steadily strengthening its position as a major maritime and logistics hub on India’s east coast.
