Visakhapatnam berths first Panamax

Mumbai: The 72,000dwt Golden Gun became the first Panamax vessel to berth at Visakhapatnam port on Saturday. The port, known for its narrow entrance channel, has spent Rs 25 crore ($5.6m) on projects to increase port accessibility for larger vessels. The initial phase of the project, which will allow vessels with an 11-metre draft to enter the port, is slated for completion next month. Phase two of the project is expected to increase the channel to a depth of 14 meters by the end of this year.  [19/02/07]