The port is one of India’s largest and fastest growing modern seaports
Volvo CE machines at the Krishnapatnam port in the east of India have managed the feat of moving more than a million tonnes of coal in 24 hours.
The port is one of India’s largest and fastest growing modern seaports, emerging as a world-class facility and proving popular for international cargo destined for southern and central India.
For the last five years, Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd (KPCL) has been breaking records, winning accolades and setting benchmarks to become India’s largest cargo gateway on the east coast. For speed and efficiency, the company uses a fleet of Volvo construction equipment.
“So far, we have registered growth of 40% between 2012 and 2013 – even as other ports in the country struggle to improve their cargo profile,” says Anil Yendluri, chief executive officer of KPLC.
“High productivity and low downtime is the key to our success and Volvo CE has played an important role in ensuring this.”
KPCL has been working closely with Volvo CE since 2005 – before the port was built in 2006. In fact, the fleet of Volvo machines is the backbone of logistics across the facility, operating inside the KPLC complex transporting and moving materials across the site.
“I really appreciate the customer-centric approach Volvo CE always takes,” says Yendluri. “It understands customer needs better than anyone, going out of its way to deliver solutions in line with our needs.”
The fleet includes 29 excavators and 36 wheel loaders as well as motor graders and compactors in a range of models and sizes.
However, it’s the Volvo wheel loaders – especially the L220Fs – that play a pivotal role in the company’s supply chain. The loaders get things moving thick and fast.
A host of major power plants, port-based industries and projects are planned in the port’s vicinity. This will create not just a coal rush but an increasing demand for an entire range of raw materials. In the next five years, KPCL will be one of the most sophisticated ports in the country with a handling capacity of 200 million tonnes.
“The way I see it,” adds Mr. Yendluri. “Things can only get better, not just for the Krishnapatnam Port. The KPCL and Volvo CE partnership is the new face of Indian infrastructure.”