Historic maritime milestone at Paradip Port

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) achieved a significant operational milestone on 6 September, 2026, by successfully berthing MV Mineral Kwangyang, its first-ever Capesize vessel with a 16.5 m draft, at Western Dock-1 (WD-1). The achievement marks another major step forward in PPA’s expanding capability to handle deep-draft and large-capacity bulk carriers.

MV Mineral Kwangyang is a Capesize vessel measuring 292 m in length overall (LOA) and 45 m in breadth, with a draft of 16.50 m. The vessel arrived at Paradip on 5 September and was successfully berthed at WD-1 at 06:00 hrs on September 6.

The vessel is carrying 152 702 MT of coking coal in nine holds, with the cargo originating from Hay Point, Australia.

The successful berthing of a Capesize vessel, with a 16.5 m draft at WD-1, demonstrates Paradip Port’s enhanced deep-draft vessel handling capability and its readiness to accommodate larger and higher-capacity bulk carriers. The milestone is expected to contribute to improved logistics efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround time for major industry partners.

The occasion was marked by an exchange of pleasantries between Shri Rajendra Kumar, Traffic Manager, Paradip Port Authority, and Shri Sandeep Jaiswal, Deputy CEO, Jindal Paradip Port Ltd. (JPPL).

Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, Paradip Port Authority, congratulated the teams of PPA and JPPL on this landmark achievement and appreciated their coordinated efforts in successfully handling the deep-draft vessel.

The milestone reinforces Paradip Port Authority’s commitment to providing efficient, reliable and world-class port infrastructure, while strengthening its capability to serve the evolving requirements of the maritime and industrial sectors.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/10092026/historic-maritime-milestone-at-paradip-port/