Vizag Multipurpose Terminal (VMT), recently signed a strategic agreement with Hindalco Industries Ltd. for the development of India’s first fully-automated, sustainable alumina handling facility at EQ-07 berth of Visakhapatnam Port.

The proposed new facility will be India’s first fully mechanised alumina handling facility, thereby eliminating the need for manual cargo handling.

This will also enable a shift from truck-based transport to railway rakes for moving alumina from Hindalco’s alumina refinery in Odisha to the port, enhancing both sustainability and operational efficiency.

With a handling capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum of alumina, the upcoming facility reflects Hindalco’s forward-looking approach to building a smart, sustainable, and scalable logistics infrastructure.

The facility is designed for seamless, dust-free operations with full mechanisation across unloading, storage, and ship-loading.

This upgrade significantly improves turnaround time, enhances worker safety, and brings predictability to cargo handling operations.

Importantly, the project will lead to an annual reduction of approximately 7,350 MTCO‚ e in greenhouse gas emissions making it a benchmark for green logistics in the metals sector.

The collaboration between Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal reinforces a shared vision of building next-generation infrastructure that is aligned with India’s expanding trade ambitions and long-term sustainability commitments.

Once completed, the upcoming facility will reinforce Visakhapatnam Port’s standing as a leading cargo hub on India’s eastern coast while strengthening Hindalco’s export capabilities.

About VMT

VMT, a joint venture between Indian Potash Limited and J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Pvt. Ltd), had entered into a Concession Agreement with Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) for the mechani- zation of the EQ-07 berth at the Visakhapatnam Port.

The J M Baxi Group is a 108-year-old business conglomerate within the trade and shipping sector through service offerings in the Marine Services, Ports & Logistics and Technology sector. Indian Potash Limited (IPL) is a leading fertilizer company in India.

About Hindalco

Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and is the world’s largest aluminium company by revenues, and the world’s second largest Copper rods manufacturer (outside China) and India’s largest (serving more than half the country’s copper requirements).