Krishnapatnam Port becomes first port to introduce Automated Fertilizer Handling System

Jun 06, 2017: Krishnapatnam Port has conceptualised and installed a first of its kind Automated Fertilizer Handling System (AFHS) in India. The innovative infrastructural set-up was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog at the port.

The AFHS at Krishnapatnam Port is one of the most modern and technologically superior infrastructural set up which will be equipped to handle end to end fertilizer cargo operations right from the cargo discharge from vessel till evacuation by road/rail.

A more reliable, economical and an all weather cargo handling solution, AFHS will enable the port to meet the increasing demand of imported fertilizers. Offering requisite efficiencies, flexibility and precision in operations, with the new system installed, the port is expecting to meet the needs of fertilizer importer in a smart and efficient manner.

The state of the art technology integrates multiple processes to augment the fertilizer handling capacity at Krishnapatnam Port while offering customised solutions to fertilizer importers.

AFHS is a new milestone for the deep water port elevating its existing handling capacity to more than three million tonnes per annum. Earlier, the manual handling of fertilizer cargo used to take two to three days. It has been radically reduced to a mere six to eight hours process with the new automated system. The procedure includes unloading from the vessel, packaging at the port moving to warehouse, and then loading on a rake (rail). Further, bagging and loading of the shipments can happen anytime of the year, including rainy season as the entire process takes place in shielded environment.

Speaking on the occasion Amitabh Kant said, “The launch of Automated Fertilizer Handling System is a huge operational leap for the port which connects with the Prime Minister Modi’s initiative of Make in India and his dream of Digital India. Backed with its excellent rail and road connectivity Krishnapatnam has a great potential to become a transshipment hub and an excellent alternative to Colombo Port. Government is focusing on ease of doing business and will do everything possible to help the port.”

C Sasidhar, Managing Director, Krishnapatnam Port said, “Innovation and operational efficiency has always been at the centre of the scheme of things at Krishnapatnam Port. We have implemented globally acclaimed technologies which elevates the port’s performance thus delighting our clients. Demand for fertilizer cargo in India is huge, on an average India imports about 14-18 million tonnes of fertilizer cargo in a year. Considering benefits such as saving of time and cost along with customizable solutions, Krishnapatnam is all poised to become the most preferred among shipping companies and importers for fertilizer shipments”.