UN/LOCODE: INVTZ📍 India
Port of Visakhapatnam (UN/LOCODE INVTZ)
❖ Coordinates: 17.7000°N, 83.3000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Calcutta
❖ UN/LOCODE: INVTZ
## About the Port
Visakhapatnam Port (UN/LOCODE: **INVTZ**) is a deep‑water, natural harbour situated on the eastern coastline of India, in the state of **Andhra Pradesh** (coordinates ≈ 17.7° N, 83.3° E). Operated by the *Visakhapatnam Port Trust* under the Ministry of Shipping, the facility serves as the region’s primary gateway for bulk, containerised, and project cargo. The port lies within the **Asia/Calcutta** time zone (UTC + 5:30) and benefits from a protected, semi‑enclosed bay that historically accommodated vessels of up to 200 m draft without extensive dredging. Its strategic location — roughly midway between Kolkata and Chennai — positions it as a nexus for intra‑Asian trade, especially for the east coast of India, Sri Lanka, and the Bay of Bengal shipping lanes.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) underscore its significance: as of FY 2023‑24, the port handled **≈ 75 million tonnes** of cargo, ranking it among the top five Indian ports by tonnage. The **container throughput** crossed **2.9 million TEU**, while the **ship‑calling frequency** averaged 1,200 vessels per annum. These figures reflect a sustained growth trajectory driven by targeted infrastructure upgrades and a diversified cargo mix.
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## History
### Early Development (19th – 20th century)
The origins of Visakhapatnam Port trace back to the British East India Company, which identified the natural harbour in the 1840s for its defensive potential and proximity to mineral deposits in the Eastern Ghats. Formal construction began in **1902**, with the first jetty commissioned for coal export from the nearby Kalingapatnam mines. By the 1930s, the port accommodated limited passenger services linking the Madras Presidency with Southeast Asian ports.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1947‑1990)
Following Indian independence, the government designated Visakhapatnam as a **major port** under the Ports Act of 1958. The *Visakhapatnam Port Trust* was established in **1960**, initiating a series of expansions: a new multipurpose berth (1974), a dedicated iron‑ore terminal (1980), and the first mechanised cargo handling equipment (1985). The port’s deep‑draft capability was enhanced through periodic dredging, allowing Panamax vessels to call by the late 1980s.
### Liberalisation & Modernisation (1991‑present)
Economic liberalisation in the early 1990s spurred a surge in private participation and cargo diversification. The **container terminal** was modernised in 1997 with a 9‑crane, 120 m quay, and computer‑aided terminal operating system (TOS). Subsequent phases introduced **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)**, **cold‑storage silos**, and **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** facilities. In 2015, the port received certification under the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, reinforcing its compliance with global maritime safety standards.
*(For an official chronology, see the Port Authority of India’s archive: portauthority.in/history↗.)*
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
Visakhapatnam hosts **12 operational berths**:
* **4 General Cargo Berths** – 15 m draft, equipped with gantry cranes (24–36 t).
* **2 Container Berths** – 16 m draft, featuring Super‑Post Panamax gantries (up to 65 t).
* **2 Bulk Cargo Berths** – 18 m draft, dedicated to coal, iron ore, and fertilizer imports.
* **2 Multi‑Purpose Berths** – 14 m draft, adaptable for project cargo, heavy lift, and Ro‑Ro operations.
* **1 Dedicated Cruise Terminal** – 12 m draft, supporting the emerging maritime tourism sector.
Routine dredging maintains a **minimum depth of 16.5 m** across the main channel, enabling vessels of up to **200 000 DWT**.
### Cargo Handling Systems
The port employs **state‑of‑the‑art handling equipment**:
* **36 container gantry cranes** – 100 % automated, with built‑in rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) yards.
* **12 mobile harbour cranes** – 45 t capacity, for break‑bulk and project cargo.
* **4 dedicated grain elevators** – 5 000 t/h throughput, supporting edible oil and cereal imports.
* **2 dedicated liquid cargo terminals** – equipped with double‑acting pumps for LPG, petro‑chemicals, and refined oil products.
A **Port Community System (PCS)** integrates customs, shipping agents, and terminal operators, delivering real‑time visibility for cargo tracking and berth allocation.
### Supporting Infrastructure
| Facility | Key Specification |
|----------|-------------------|
| **Warehousing** | 1.2 million sq ft of covered storage; 3 million sq ft of open‑yard space |
| **Cold Storage** | 45,000 t capacity (refrigerated) |
| **Dry Bulk Silo** | 1.8 million t total (cement, coal, iron ore) |
| **Rail Connectivity** | Direct link to Indian Railways’ East Coast line; 6 km of dedicated sidings |
| **Road Access** | National Highway 16 (NH‑16) and State Highway 38 provide multimodal connectivity |
| **Power Supply** | Dedicated 30 MW sub‑station with backup diesel generators |
| **Environmental** | On‑site effluent treatment plant (ETP) and ISO 14001‑certified waste management |
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Growth Engine
Visakhapatnam Port underpins **Andhra Pradesh’s industrial clusters**, notably the **Krishna–Godavari basin** petro‑chemical parks, the **Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP)**, and emerging **Aerospace & Defence** zones. Direct port‑linked employment estimates **≈ 18,000** jobs, while indirect employment across logistics, ancillary services, and export‑oriented manufacturing exceeds **150,000** positions.
### Revenue & Trade Balance
* **Annual cargo value** (FY 2023‑24) – **US $12.6 billion**.
* **Export contribution** – ~ 38 % of Andhra Pradesh’s total export volume, dominated by **iron ore, steel, aluminium, and marine products**.
* **Import dependence** – ~ 62 % of cargo, primarily **crude oil, coal, fertilizers, and containerised consumer goods**.
The port’s **container throughput** supports India’s *Make in India* initiative by facilitating inbound components for the automotive and electronics sectors. Additionally, the establishment of a **Special Economic Zone (SEZ) adjacent to the terminal** has attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) exceeding **US $1.2 billion** since 2010.
### Strategic Role in National Security
Visakhapatnam houses the **Eastern Naval Command** of the Indian Navy, sharing limited maritime infrastructure with the civilian port. This co‑location enhances **maritime domain awareness**, enables rapid deployment of naval assets, and underscores the port’s dual‑use significance in both commercial and defence logistics.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Primary Commodities |
|--------------------|---------------------|
| **Australia (Port of Newcastle, Melbourne)** | Coal, iron ore, metallurgical coke |
| **Middle East (Jebel Ali, Ras Al‑Khaimah)** | Crude oil, LPG, petro‑chemical feedstock |
| **Southeast Asia (Singapore, Klang, Bangkok)** | Containers (electronics, apparel), rubber, palm oil |
| **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | Project cargo (machinery, turbines), bulk fertilizers |
| **Domestic Indian Ports (Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai)** | Inter‑regional trade of textiles, agro‑products, and manufactured goods |
The port’s **Ro‑Ro services** connect with **Sri Lanka (Colombo)** and **Bangladesh (Chittagong)**, supporting vehicular and heavy equipment movement. Emerging **cabotage routes** link Visakhapatnam with smaller coastal terminals, fostering regional supply‑chain resilience.
### Cargo Profile
* **Bulk Commodities (≈ 55 % of tonnage)** – Iron ore, coal, limestone, and fertilizers.
* **Containerised Cargo (≈ 30 % of tonnage)** – Finished goods, electronics, and perishable items (via cold storage).
* **Project & Heavy Lift (≈ 10 % of tonnage)** – Offshore rigs, wind‑farm components, and large‑scale infrastructure modules.
* **Liquid Cargo (≈ 5 % of tonnage)** – Crude oil, LPG, refined petroleum products, and bulk chemicals.
Visakhapatnam’s **multi‑modal connectivity** — rail, road, and inland waterway links — ensures efficient hinterland distribution to major Indian industrial corridors, such as the **Delhi‑Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)** and the **East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC)**.
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*For up‑to‑date statistical data and port performance dashboards, consult the official Port Authority of India portal: portauthority.in/visakhapatnam↗.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
INVTZ
Country
India
Province / Region
Andhra Pradesh
Latitude
17.700000
Longitude
83.300000
Timezone
Asia/Calcutta
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Visakhapatnam?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Visakhapatnam is INVTZ.
Where is Port of Visakhapatnam located?
The Port of Visakhapatnam is located in India, Andhra Pradesh. Its coordinates are 17.7000°N, 83.3000°E.
What time zone is Port of Visakhapatnam in?
Port of Visakhapatnam operates in the Asia/Calcutta time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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