VISAKHAPATNAM : Chairman and managing director of Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Limited Vedprakash said that the Japanese delegation was very much concerned at the implementation of assurances in cargo handling.
They were very keen on the quality of the iron ore and its purity. They would take it very seriously if there is any drop in quality, the CMD said.
Vedprakash on Monday visited Visakhapatnam Port Trust. On his arrival, the VPT arranged a meeting with the ESSAR Port Limited delegates. On the occasion, Vedprakash said that the supply of quality iron ore would be prestigious and face saving issue.
The Japanese were very much concerned about the ore handling and if it is not improved it may derail the agreement. The CMD advised ESSAR to take every possible effort by closely monitoring the works in the next two or three months to ensure better performance.
ESSAR Ports Limited managing director Rajiv Agarwal announced through a presentation the upgradation of outer harbour berths with the latest state-of-the-art handling facilities designed loading rated capacity of 8000 TPH (tonnes per hour) by replacement of major equipment such as rotary tippler, twin tippler, stackers, reclaimers and ship-loader. To achieve the overall EPC percentage by September by overcoming the constrains such as ship loader long travel, apron feeders, belts through-cuts, over load on motor, structural vibrations leading to bearing failures, slew problems, by replacing and improving the equipment and spares and also reduction in spillage, contamination and pollution control measures, Rajiv Agarwal explained.
While presiding over the meeting, VPT chairman MT Krishna Babu said that the Japanese project was the lifeline and most important time line achievement. He assured Vedprakash that best efforts would be made. The VPT chairman explained the facilities and infrastructure of the port and taking over of iron ore handling by the ESSAR in May 2015 for entire refurbishment of the project and to complete the same by March-end and to prioritise the works to ensure customer satisfaction.