Cargo handling commences at Gopalpur port(Berhampur) in South Odisha

Cargo handling has formally commenced in the Gopalpur port. According to authorities of the Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL), cargo handling is under way at one berth of the port, which is now completely ready to accept ships. At present, cargo handling is being done on trial basis. At present, a single ship is being loaded with illuminate cargo of Odisha Sands Complex (OSCOM) of Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). The cargo is to be exported to South Korea. The Odisha Sands Complex was a major user of the seasonal anchorage port in the past. The GPL sources said they had sent notifications to shipping companies and possible users informing them that one of its berths was ready to handle cargo. On completion of ongoing works, the port would have three berths. According to the authorities, construction work and other infrastructure development measures are progressing as per schedule. The GPL is also constructing 11 groynes as part of its corporate social responsibility. More than 80 per cent of the work on these groynes has been completed.

In 1987, the Odisha government had established the port as a seasonal anchorage port. In 2006, the government handed over the port to the GPL for its expansion and management. The GPL had entered into an MoU with the government to take over the port and develop it into a major all-weather facility on Build-Operate-Own-Share-Transfer (BOOST) basis.

Source: The Hindu, The Sambad