Port at a Glance
Port Overview
Krishnapatnam's infrastructure includes a dedicated POL (petroleum, oil, lubricants) jetty equipped with modern firefighting systems, supporting crude oil, LPG and petroleum product handling alongside the core dry-bulk operations. With 18.5-metre draft capability and a Phase II expansion programme including dedicated coal berths, the port's bunker-relevant vessel traffic is dominated by Capesize coal carriers from Indonesia, Australia and Mozambique.
Parent Port Relationship
Krishnapatnam is associated with Visakhapatnam Port — private deepwater port in nellore district, coal-focused. Many vessel operators evaluate Krishnapatnam and Visakhapatnam together when planning Indian port calls. See the Visakhapatnam bunker guide for context on the broader supply area.
Bunker Fuel Grades Available at Krishnapatnam
Seven Ocean procures the following marine fuel grades at Krishnapatnam. Click any grade for full specifications.
Supply & Product Sourcing
Bunker services at Krishnapatnam are listed by the port authority as a standard service alongside freshwater, ship stores, waste disposal and repair facilities. East-coast bunker specialists including An established east-coast bunker specialist and a regional bunker specialist operate at Krishnapatnam as part of their broader Andhra Pradesh coverage. VLSFO, HSFO, LSMGO and HSD are all available. The Capesize fleet profile drives large stems (typically 2,500-4,500 MT per vessel).
Supply landscape: Seven Ocean sources bunker fuel at this location from the full range of available physical suppliers — state-owned oil marketing companies, private-sector bunker operators, and independent regional specialists — selecting for each nomination based on price, quality and availability.
Refinery & product source: Coastal supply from the Chennai refinery and a major Indian oil marketer Vizag; dedicated POL jetty.
Delivery Methods
- Barge-to-ship
- Pipeline (POL jetty)
- Truck-to-ship
Barge-to-ship at anchorage and alongside at dry-bulk berths. Pipeline bunkering at the dedicated POL jetty for tanker-class vessels. Truck-to-ship for LSMGO and HSD smaller stems. Advance nomination (5-7 days) is recommended for large stems to align barge rotation with Capesize vessel schedules.
Vessel Types Regularly Bunkered
Capesize coal bulkers, Panamax, tankers, general cargo.
Regulatory & Tax Context
GST on bunker fuel at Krishnapatnam, as at all Indian ports, is 5 percent for both foreign-going and coastal vessels. Indian-flag vessels operating under the Merchant Shipping Act plying cargo between Indian ports can claim customs duty exemption on imported bunker fuels subject to documentary conditions — we handle this paperwork as part of the supply contract. Bunker Delivery Notes are issued MARPOL Annex VI compliant with every stem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Krishnapatnam suited for large-vessel bunkering?
18.5-metre draft accommodates Capesize bulk carriers directly at berth. With coal representing ~70% of cargo volume, the port sees continuous Capesize traffic — making it a natural bunkering location for this vessel class on east-coast rotations.
Is Krishnapatnam far from major refineries?
Yes — coastal supply from the regional refiner Chennai (north-south) and a major Indian oil marketer Vizag (south-north) is the main supply route. This adds a small barge-movement premium versus refinery-adjacent east-coast ports like Paradip or Vizag. For Capesize stems, the operational convenience typically outweighs the small price spread.
Who operates Krishnapatnam Port now?
a leading Indian private port group acquired Krishnapatnam in 2020 as part of its east-coast consolidation strategy alongside the 2021 Gangavaram acquisition. The port remains operationally independent with its original management structure largely intact.
What is typical VLSFO stem size at Krishnapatnam?
Capesize coal bulkers typically stem 2,500-4,500 MT of VLSFO per nomination, with some Panamax classes at 1,500-2,000 MT. LSMGO top-ups of 200-400 MT are common. HSFO stems for scrubber-fitted Capesize can exceed 4,000 MT.
Are there draft restrictions at specific berths?
The 18.5-metre maximum is for dedicated deepwater berths; other berths have lower draft assignments based on cargo type and vessel size. Specific berth assignment is coordinated by port operations at vessel nomination.
Request a Quote for Krishnapatnam
Tell us the vessel, ETA, fuel grade and quantity, and we will return with a competitive stem. Seven Ocean is an independent bunker procurement partner — we source across the major oil marketing companies, a leading Indian refiner, the leading Indian private bunker operator and independent suppliers to secure the best combination of price, quality and availability.