Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful berthing of MV Graceous, a 292-metre-long cape-size bulk carrier, at the EQ-1 berth in the port’s inner harbour.
The vessel, measuring 292 metres in length with a beam of 45 metres and a draft of 12.2 metres, marks a historic achievement for the port as it expands its capability to accommodate some of the world’s largest bulk carriers.
Cape-size bulk carriers, capable of carrying up to 200,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), are among the largest dry bulk vessels in operation. Due to their size, these ships are unable to transit the Panama Canal and typically navigate via the Cape of Good Hope. Only a limited number of ports worldwide possess the infrastructure and draft requirements necessary to handle such vessels, particularly in fully loaded conditions.
According to VPA, the successful berthing of MV Graceous demonstrates the port’s growing operational capabilities and strategic infrastructure development. The achievement also signifies that Visakhapatnam Port now has more than one cape-compliant berth, further strengthening its capacity to handle large bulk carriers and increasing cargo handling efficiency.
The milestone underscores VPA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing port infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and meeting the evolving demands of global maritime trade. The expanded capability is expected to support higher cargo volumes, improve vessel turnaround times, and reinforce Visakhapatnam Port’s position as a key gateway for bulk cargo movement on India’s eastern coast.
