India-Based Operator Selected Krishnapatnam Port for Load-In
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J M Baxi Heavy has successfully completed the load-in of a 1061-ton bridge module in India.
The component was loaded in April at the Rohini Yard near Raigad, western India, destined for India’s east coast. Originally scheduled for installation in May in the KG Basin as part of ONGC’s KG-DWN-98/2 subsea project, the bridge’s placement was shelved due to bad weather, necessitating its temporary relocation on land until the next installation window in December 2024.
The delay led J M Baxi Heavy to reassess the load-in feasibility, as key loading structures were no longer available because of the monsoon conditions. To prepare, the company began engineering modifications a month early, accounting for the challenging weather.
“To ensure a smooth load-in, J M Baxi Heavy re-engineered the load-out steel structures on a tight timeline,” it said. “Various locations were evaluated for the load-in, including Krishnapatnam Port, Visag Port, Hindustan Shipyard Jetty and the possibility of returning the barge to Rohini Yard. After careful consideration of costs and timelines, Krishnapatnam Port (in the southeast state of Andhra Pradesh) was selected for the load-in operation.
“The engineering team sourced suitable steel accessories from our existing inventory to avoid costly and time-consuming new fabrications. Following the completion of the engineering study, the team visited Krishnapatnam Port to assess feasibility and prepare for the operation.”
The Triton 330 barge, on standby at Krishnapatnam anchorage since mid-June, berthed in early July for crucial modifications. The barge was repositioned stern-on to prep for load-in. The operation, which took less than three hours, was completed using 64 SPMT axles and 30 ballast pumps to ensure alignment with the jetty and maintain stability.
The bridge was successfully stowed at the 1J Container Terminal Yard, with protective plates deployed along the route to prevent damage to port infrastructure.
“This operation marked the first stern-on load-in at Krishnapatnam Port,” J M Baxi Heavy added. “Tugs were on standby for 48 hours to ensure a safe operation and to avoid disrupting other port activities. The Krishnapatnam Port team provided comprehensive support to ensure the load-in was completed safely and on schedule as J M Baxi Heavy believe in completing any complex engineering endeavor on time every time.”
J M Baxi Heavy, a division of the Indian ports and logistics conglomerate, J M Baxi Group, is an exhibitor at Breakbulk Middle East.
