Paradip, July 27: With the berthing of deep-draft Chinese vessel MV Huashanhai yesterday, the Paradip port has gone ahead in providing hassle-free berthing facility to even larger cargo ships.

This is the second large vessel welcomed by the port after deepening of its harbour channel. On July 5, MV Orient Centaur had landed at this port carrying 1.15 lakh metric tonnes of cargo from Cyprus.

The Chinese merchant ship is carrying 80,000 metric tonnes of high-grade coke from Australia, of which 42,000 metric tonnes would be unloaded at the port for procurement by the Steel Authority of India Limited. Later, it would head towards Haldia port in Bengal, said Paradip port deputy conservator Gouri Prasad Biswal.

“The port is now well-equipped to accommodate larger deep-draft ships following refurbishment of its harbour. More such large cargo ships are lined up for berthing here in the coming months,” said Paradip Port Trust chairman S. Ananth Kumar Bose.

It is expected that the deepening of its harbour would safeguard the port’s commercial interests by enhancing its cargo handling capacity.