In order to develop India’s first fully automated, sustainable alumina handling facility at the EQ-07 berth of Visakhapatnam Port, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal, a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics, has signed a strategic agreement with Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. By being the first completely automated alumina handling facility in India, the proposed new facility will do away with the necessity for manual cargo handling.
This will also enable a shift from truck-based transport to railway rakes for moving alumina from Hindalco’s alumina refinery in Odisha to the port, enhancing both sustainability and operational efficiency. With a handling capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum of alumina, the upcoming facility reflects Hindalco’s forward-looking approach to building a smart, sustainable, and scalable logistics infrastructure. The facility is designed for seamless, dust-free operations with full mechanisation across unloading, storage, and ship-loading.
This upgrade significantly improves turnaround time, enhances worker safety, and brings predictability to cargo handling operations. Importantly, the project will lead to an annual reduction of approximately 7,350 MTCO₂e in greenhouse gas emissions making it a benchmark for green logistics in the metals sector.
The collaboration between Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal reinforces a shared vision of building next-generation infrastructure that is aligned with India’s expanding trade ambitions and long-term sustainability commitments. Once completed, the upcoming facility will reinforce Visakhapatnam Port’s standing as a leading cargo hub on India’s eastern coast while strengthening Hindalco’s export capabilities.
