The newly commissioned T2 terminal at Visakha Container Terminal (VCT), operated by J M Baxi Ports & Logistics, has helped in reducing the time needed to unload/ load a vessel at VCT. On 05th April, 2022, VCT handled the first vessel M.V Celsius Nairobi of CHX service at T2. This weekly service was operated by Maersk Line with 2662 containers (2878 TEUs) handled. The terminal achieved a crane productivity of 36 gross moves per hour and ship productivity of 103 moves per hour.
On 12th April, 2022, another vessel M.V GH Pampero of the same service of Maersk Line was berthed at the new terminal – T2, with an exchange of 1746 moves (2044 TEUs). The terminal performed a crane productivity of 33 gross moves per hour and ship productivity of 95 moves per hour.
Three new Super Post Panamax Rail Mounted Quay cranes were deployed for the vessel operations while the electrified rubber-tyred gantry cranes (ERTG) played their part in making the yard operations faster and efficient. All of these helped in achieving a higher productivity level, resulting in faster turn-around times for the vessels at the terminal, and gave room for the vessel to sail earlier than the estimated time.
With the newly extended quay of 395 meters adding up to the earlier 450 meters, there is now flexibility for berthing of vessels on arrival at VCT, even when arriving out of the scheduled window. With enhanced operational efficiency due to the commission of the new terminal (T2), VCT will facilitate faster movement of shipments, thereby reducing the cost of logistics and improving effectiveness of the supply chain for the EXIM trade.
