Indus Valley Times

 By Pravakar Sahoo

Paradip, Sept.20 : Paradip Port Authority (PPA) celebrated a night of outstanding achievements and recognition at its “Awards Nite 2024,” hosted at the Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar. The event, attended by distinguished guests, stakeholders, and key figures from the maritime sector, highlighted Paradip Port’s remarkable progress and set new benchmarks in the Indian maritime industry.

In his address, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, Shri P.L. Haranadh, expressed his pride in the port’s accomplishments, marking it as a pivotal moment in the port’s 56-year history. For the first time, Paradip Port has emerged as the highest cargo-handling major port in India, surpassing previous records with an impressive cargo throughput of 145.38 million metric tonnes in FY 2023-24. This historic achievement, along with a 25% traffic growth over the past two years, was a key highlight of the evening.

Shri Haranadh highlighted key initiatives, such as reducing idle time at the mechanized coal handling plant and the introduction of simultaneous operations at coal berths. These initiatives have contributed to the port’s ongoing development as a competitive and most efficient hub for maritime operations.

Looking ahead, the Chairman outlined key projects that will expand the port’s capacity and capabilities, including the Western Dock project, which will enable the port to handle fully laden cape vessels by 2026, pushing its capacity beyond 300 million metric tonnes. Paradip Port also aims to achieve 100% berth mechanization by 2030, further solidifying its infrastructure leadership.

In a visionary move towards sustainability, the port is set to become a national hub for green hydrogen and ammonia with a dedicated berth, aligning with India’s green energy ambitions.

Shri Haranadh extended his gratitude to all stakeholders, officers, staff, unions, and partners whose efforts have made Paradip Port’s successes possible. He emphasized that while the port’s achievements are remarkable, they are only the foundation for future growth, driven by innovation, sustainability, and a shared vision for excellence in the global maritime landscape.

The Awards Night 2024 was a celebration of these milestones, honoring the collective efforts of all those involved in Paradip Port’s journey of growth and success. As Paradip Port looks to the future, its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and innovation remains stronger than ever, ensuring it continues to set new standards in the maritime sector. Shri Nilabhra Dasgupta, Dy.Chairman, PPA offered the vote of thanks.