NELLORE : All container terminal operations at Adani Group-owned Krishnapatnam Port are likely to be shifted to Tamil Nadu by the end of January.

According to sources, Krishnapatnam Port management has already obtained all requisite approvals from the Union Gvernment to shift container terminal operations. The container vessel that will reach Krishnapatnam Port on January 24 will be the last, after which all container terminal operations will be shifted to Kattupalli and Ennore ports in Tamil Nadu, the sources added.

After it became operational, Krishnapatnam port emerged as a major handler of container operations after Mumbai, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam.

The container terminal handled about 6 lakh containers per year between 2014 and 2019. However, the operations at Krishnapatnam reduced to 4 lakh containers per year between 2019 and 2021, and further reduced to 1.5 lakh during 2021-23. Without a container terminal, major operations at Krishnapatnam port would be limited to handling of dirt cargo like coal, iron ore, and ash.