Vizag Port Leads India’s Seafood Exports

Visakhapatnam Port has solidified its status as India’s premier maritime gateway for seafood, processing a record 5.12 lakh metric tonnes during FY 2025-26. Accounting for over 26% of the nation’s total 19.32 lakh metric tonnes of marine exports, the port continues to facilitate critical trade routes for refrigerated cargo vessels. This surge in throughput highlights the strategic importance of Vizag Port in the global supply chain, ensuring that perishable seafood reaches international markets efficiently while supporting the broader Indian maritime economy.

The handling of such massive volumes of perishable goods necessitates strict adherence to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), specifically Chapter VI regarding the carriage of cargoes. Furthermore, vessels involved in these refrigerated operations must comply with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI, which governs emissions from auxiliary engines and refrigeration units. Compliance departments must ensure that all reefer containers and onboard cooling systems meet Class requirements to prevent cargo spoilage and avoid costly port state control detentions.

For chief engineers and second engineers, this operational shift demands rigorous monitoring of reefer power supply systems and auxiliary engine performance to maintain temperature integrity. Navigating officers must ensure precise stowage planning to facilitate rapid loading and unloading cycles at Vizag Port. These professionals must prioritize the maintenance of electrical distribution boards and cooling plant efficiency to ensure full compliance with international safety standards while handling high-value seafood exports during peak seasonal demand.