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Paradip, Odisha : In a landmark achievement that underlines Odisha’s growing importance on India’s maritime map, Paradip Port has scripted history by successfully berthing the massive Capesize vessel MV Mineral Kwangyang at Western Dock No. 1, demonstrating the port’s enhanced deep-draft handling capabilities ahead of the much anticipated inauguration of the Western Dock berth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The successful operation marks the first time a Capesize vessel with a draft of 16.5 metres has been berthed at Western Dock No. 1, showcasing a major improvement in the port’s infrastructure and operational preparedness. The 292-metre-long vessel, one of the largest classes of bulk carriers commonly used for transporting heavy commodities, arrived at Paradip from Hay Point Port in Australia, carrying a substantial 152,702 metric tonnes of coking coal.
The vessel’s successful berthing was conducted on a trial basis and has emerged as a significant operational milestone for Paradip Port, particularly as it prepares to expand its capacity to accommodate larger ships and handle greater volumes of cargo.
The achievement comes at a time when India is placing increasing emphasis on strengthening its port infrastructure, improving logistics efficiency and reducing turnaround time for cargo vessels, making deep-draft facilities increasingly important for international maritime trade.
The ability to accommodate larger Capesize vessels is expected to offer significant operational and economic advantages, including improved cargo-handling efficiency, greater economies of scale and enhanced connectivity with international supply chains.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the development as a significant milestone for Paradip Port and highlighted the government’s focus on upgrading India’s ports with modern infrastructure and deep-draft capabilities. According to Sonowal, under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s ports are being transformed to facilitate seamless logistics, accelerate trade and contribute to regional economic development.
The successful trial berthing of MV Mineral Kwangyang also demonstrates the growing technical and navigational capabilities of Paradip Port, which has been steadily strengthening its infrastructure to handle increasingly larger vessels. The latest achievement is particularly significant for Odisha, where Paradip has emerged as a crucial gateway for the movement of bulk commodities and a major contributor to the state’s industrial and economic growth.
With international trade increasingly dependent on efficient maritime transportation, ports capable of handling larger vessels can play a vital role in strengthening supply chains and improving India’s competitiveness in global trade. But Paradip Port is not stopping at the 16.5-metre milestone.
The port has already set its sights on an even bigger target, aiming to successfully handle and berth cargo vessels with a draft of 18.5 metres in the coming days. Achieving this target would further expand the port’s ability to accommodate larger and deeper-draft vessels, potentially increasing cargo-handling capacity and strengthening its position among major maritime gateways.
The successful berthing of MV Mineral Kwangyang therefore represents more than just a single vessel operation it is being seen as a powerful demonstration of Paradip Port’s preparedness for the next phase of maritime expansion.
As the Western Dock moves closer to its formal inauguration, the historic berthing has provided an important glimpse into the scale of operations the upgraded facility could support in the future. From welcoming a giant vessel carrying more than 1.5 lakh tonnes of coking coal from Australia to setting its sights on an 18.5-metre draft capability, Paradip Port is charting an ambitious new course for Odisha’s maritime future.
The latest milestone is expected to further enhance the port’s role in India’s logistics network, support faster movement of essential industrial commodities and reinforce Paradip’s position as a key engine of trade, industry and economic growth in eastern India.
