[11] The port was built by the Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, the flagship concern of the CVR Group, under a build-operate-share-transfer (BOST) agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

[14][15] As of 2015, KPCL is capable of handling 7.5 crore (75 million) tonnes (mt) of cargo per annum and is the second deepest port of India with a draft of 18 metres .

The second phase of the Port's development entails an investment of $2 billion and the enhancement of cargo handling capacity by 4 crore tonnes (40 mt).

[17][18][19] Krishnapatnam port terminal set to emerge as a major trans-shipment hub on the East Coast following dynamic initiatives being taken up by some international shipping container liners.

[20] When the port was inaugurated in 2008, iron ore constituted its most important cargo which peaked at 10.5 million tonnes in 2009-'10.

Since the ban on export of iron ore from the Bellary-Hospet region of Karnataka, its shipments have dwindled forcing the port to diversify its portfolio.

The port now also plans to handle liquefied natural gas cargo, cars meant for exports, edible oils and fertilisers.

[5] During 2012-13, the port handled 2.12 crore tonnes (21.2 mt) of cargo, of which three-fourths comprised imported coal.