Pioneering green logistics: Hindalco & Vizag Multipurpose Terminal to build India’s first fully automated alumina handling terminal

In a significant step towards modernising India’s port logistics and advancing sustainable trade, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal — a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics — has signed a strategic agreement with Hindalco Industries. Together, they will develop India’s first fully-automated, sustainable alumina handling facility at the EQ-07 berth of Visakhapatnam Port.

Image Source: J M Baxi Group / Linkedln

The new terminal will be the first in India to offer fully mechanised alumina handling, removing the need for manual operations and streamlining cargo movement. By shifting from road to rail, the facility will enable the transport of alumina from Hindalco’s refinery in Odisha directly to the port via railway rakes, improving operational efficiency while significantly reducing emissions.

With a capacity to handle 1 million tonnes of alumina annually, the new facility reflects Hindalco’s vision for a smarter and greener logistics network. Designed for dust-free, fully mechanised operations — from unloading and storage to ship loading — the facility will enhance turnaround times, improve worker safety, and offer greater predictability in cargo movements.

Most notably, the shift to a cleaner, rail-based logistics model is expected to cut approximately 7,350 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually, positioning the project as a trailblazer for green logistics in India’s metals industry.

The partnership between Hindalco and Vizag Multipurpose Terminal underscores a shared commitment to developing next-generation infrastructure that supports India’s growing trade ambitions and sustainability goals. Once operational, the cutting-edge facility will further cement Visakhapatnam Port’s position as a premier cargo gateway on the eastern coast, while significantly enhancing Hindalco’s alumina export capabilities.

Image Source: J M Baxi Group / Linkedln